Patent Application
20240148869
The present invention relates to the field of biomedicine, to an improved T cell receptor-costimulatory molecule chimera, in particular to a T cell receptor (TCR) or TCR complex comprising a costimulatory molecule, an immune cell comprising the TCR or TCR complex, and the use thereof.
Cell therapy, especially T cell-related therapy, has developed rapidly this year, among which chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy and TCR-T therapy have attracted much attention.
CAR-T therapy is based on the expression of CAR molecules in T cells. A CAR molecule consists of three parts: an ectodomain, which is an antigen recognition domain derived from an antibody and is responsible for recognizing a target antigen; a transmembrane domain; and an endodomain, which is a signal molecule and costimulatory signal molecule derived from a T cell receptor and is responsible for transducing a T cell activation signal after receiving stimulation. When CAR molecules bind to the corresponding antigens thereof, they will aggregate, start the effector function of T cells and kill target tumor cells.
TCR-T therapy is based on a T cell receptor (TCR). TCR is the identity of T cells, which can be divided into αβ T cells and γδ T cells based on the type of TCR. In development, a T precursor cell will undergo VDJ rearrangement in TCR γ and TCR δ chains, which, if rearrangement is successful, will develop into α γδ T cell, or if rearrangement ends in failure, will undergo VDJ recombination in TCR α and TCR β chains, and then develop into a αβ T cell. αβ T cells account for 90%-95% of peripheral blood T cells, while γδ T cells account for 5%-10% of peripheral blood T cells. The two types of T cells recognize antigens in MHC-restricted and MHC-unrestricted ways, respectively, which play an important role in the immunity to pathogens and tumors.
A T cell receptor (TCR) complex molecule contains multiple chains, in which TCR α and TCR β chains (or TCR γ and TCR δ chains) are responsible for recognizing MHC-polypeptide molecules, and the other six CD3 subunits bind to TCR α/β chains (or TCR γ/δ chains) to play the role of signal transduction. The natural TCR complex contains ten ITAM signal sequences, which can transmit stronger signals than CAR in theory. By employing the signal transduction function of natural TCR, it is possible to construct a new receptor to alleviate T cell disability, which can play a better anti-solid tumor role. The ectodomain of TCR is very similar to the Fab domain of an antibody, so the variable region sequence of TCR can be replaced by a variable region sequence of an antibody, so as to obtain a Synthetic TCR and Antigen Receptor (STAR), which not only has antibody specificity, but also has superior signal transduction function of a natural TCR on mediating T cell activation.
However, STAR-T derived from the natural TCR lacks the costimulatory signal in T cell activation, and its proliferation and activation ability are often affected. Therefore, an improved TCR and corresponding TCR-T therapy are still needed in this field.
Unless otherwise indicated or defined, all used terms have the common meaning in the field, which will be understood by those skilled in the field. See, for example, the standard manual, such as Sambrook et al., “Molecular cloning: a laboratory manual”; Lewin, “Genes VIII”, and Roitt et al., “Immunology” (8nd edition), and the general prior art cited herein; in addition, unless otherwise stated, all the methods, steps, techniques and operations that are not specifically detailed may and have been performed in a manner known per se, which will be understood by those skilled in the art. Also see, for example, the standard manual, the above general prior art and other references cited therein.
As used herein, the term “and/or” encompasses all combinations of items connected by the term and shall be deemed to have been separately listed herein. For example, “A and/or B” covers “A”, “A and B”, and “B”. For example, “A, B and/or C” covers “A”, “B”, “C”, “A and B”, “A and C”, “B and C”, and “A and B and C”.
The term “comprising” is used herein to describe a sequence of a protein or nucleic acid, which may consist of said sequence, or may have additional amino acids or nucleotides at one or both ends of said protein or nucleic acid but still possess the activity described herein. In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that methionine encoded by the start codon at the N-terminal of a polypeptide is retained in certain practical situations (e.g. when expressed in a particular expression system), but does not substantially affect the function of the polypeptide. Thus, in the description of a specific polypeptide amino acid sequence, while it may not contain methionine encoded by the start codon at its N-terminal, but still covers a sequence comprising the methionine by the time, and correspondingly, the coding nucleotide sequences thereof may also contain the start codon; and vice versa.
As used herein, “the amino acid number being made reference to SEQ ID NO: x” (SEQ ID NO: x is a specific sequence listed herein) means that the position number of the particular amino acid described is the position number of the amino acid corresponding to that amino acid on SEQ ID NO: x. The amino acid correspondence between different amino acid sequences can be determined by sequence alignment methods known in the art. For example, the amino acid correspondence can be determined by an EMBL-EBI online alignment tool (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/Tools/psa/), in which two sequences can be aligned using Needleman-Wunsch algorithm with default parameters. For example, if alanine at position 46 starting from the N-terminal of a polypeptide is aligned in sequence alignment with an amino acid at position 48 of SEQ ID NO: x, then the amino acid in the polypeptide may also be described herein as “alanine at position 48 of the polypeptide, the amino acid position being made reference to SEQ ID NO: x”. In the present invention, reference is made to SEQ ID NO: 3 for the amino acid position related to a chain constant region. In the present invention, reference is made to SEQ ID NO: 4 for the amino acid position related to β chain constant region.
In one aspect, a modified T cell receptor (TCR) complex is provided herein, wherein, the TCR may be αβ TCR, the αβ TCR complex comprising a TCR α chain, TCR β chain, CD3 ε, CD3 γ, CD3 δ and CD3 ζ; wherein at least one functional domain is connected to the C-terminal of at least one of TCR α chain, TCR β chain, CD3 ε, CD3 γ, CD3 δ and CD3 ζ; wherein, the TCR α chain comprises a first constant region, and the TCR β chain comprises a second constant region; or
In some embodiments, the TCR α chain further comprises a first target binding region. In some embodiments, the TCR β chain further comprises a second target binding region. In some embodiments, the TCR α chain further comprises a first target binding region, and the TCR β chain further comprises a second target binding region.
In some embodiments, the TCR γ chain further comprises a first target binding region. In some embodiments, the TCR δ chain further comprises a second target binding region. In some embodiments, the TCR γ chain further comprises a first target binding region, and the TCR δ chain further comprises a second target binding region.
Generally, in TCR, the target binding region is located at the N-terminal of the constant region, both of which can be connected directly or via a linker.
In one aspect, a modified T cell receptor (TCR) is provided herein, wherein, the TCR may be a αβ TCR comprising TCR α and β chains, wherein at least one functional domain is connected to the C-terminal of the TCR α chain and/or β chain; wherein, the TCR α chain comprises a first constant region, and the TCR β chain comprises a second constant region; or the TCR may be a γδ TCR comprising TCR γ and δ chains, wherein at least one functional domain is connected to the C-terminal of the TCR γ chain and/or δ chain; wherein, the TCR γ chain comprises a first constant region, and the TCR δ chain comprises a second constant region.
In some embodiments, the TCR α chain further comprises a first target binding region. In some embodiments, the TCR β chain further comprises a second target binding region. In some embodiments, the TCR α chain further comprises a first target binding region, and the TCR β chain further comprises a second target binding region.
In some embodiments, the TCR γ chain further comprises a first target binding region. In some embodiments, the TCR δ chain further comprises a second target binding region. In some embodiments, the TCR γ chain further comprises a first target binding region, and the TCR δ chain further comprises a second target binding region.
In some embodiments, wherein the natural endodomain of at least one of TCR α chain, TCR β chain, CD3 ε, CD3 γ, CD3 δ and CD3 ζ in the αβ TCR complex is deleted, or wherein the natural endodomain of at least one of TCR γ chain, TCR δ chain, CD3 ε, CD3 γ, CD3 δ and CD3 ζ in the γδ TCR complex is deleted.
In some embodiments, wherein the natural endodomain of the TCR α chain and/or TCR β chain in the αβ TCR is deleted, or the natural endodomain of the TCR γ chain and/or TCR δ chain in the γδ TCR complex is deleted.
In some embodiments, wherein in the αβ TCR complex, the functional domain is connected directly or via a linker to the C-terminal of at least one of TCR α chain, TCR β chain, CD3 ε, CD3 γ, CD3 δ and CD3 ζ in which the natural endodomain is deleted.
In some embodiments, wherein in the αβ TCR complex, the functional domain is connected directly or via a linker to the C-terminal of the TCR α chain and TCR β chain with the natural endodomain deleted.
In some embodiments, wherein in the γδ TCR complex, the functional domain is connected directly or via a linker to the C-terminal of at least one of TCR α chain, TCR β chain, CD3 ε, CD3 γ, CD3 δ and CD3 ζ in which the natural endodomain is deleted.
In some embodiments, wherein in the γδ TCR complex, the functional domain is connected directly or via a linker to the C-terminal of at least one of the TCR γ chain, TCR δ chain in which the natural endodomain is deleted.
In some embodiments, wherein the linker is (G4S)n, where n represents an integer from 1 to 10. Preferably n is an integer from 1 to 6, more preferably n is an integer from 2 to 5, and most preferably n is 3.
In some embodiments, at least one functional domain is connected to the C-terminal of one of TCR α chain, TCR β chain, CD3 ε, CD3 γ, CD3 δ and CD3 ζ in the αβ TCR complex.
In some embodiments, at least one functional domain is connected to the C-terminal of TCR α chain and/or TCR β chain in the αβ TCR.
In some embodiments, at least one functional domain is connected to the C-terminal of one of TCR γ chain, TCR δ chain, CD3 ε, CD3 γ, CD3 δ and CD3 ζ in the γδ TCR complex.
In some embodiments, at least one functional domain is connected to the C-terminal of TCR γ chain and/or TCR δ chain in the γδ TCR.
In some embodiments, CD3 δ, CD3 γ, CD3 ε and CD3 ζ in the TCR complex do not comprise at least one functional domain additionally connected to the C-terminal thereof.
In some embodiments, at least one functional domain is connected to the C-terminal of TCR α chain in the αβ TCR complex.
In some embodiments, at least one functional domain is connected to the C-terminal of TCR a chain in the αβ TCR.
In some embodiments, the natural endodomain of the TCR α chain is deleted.
In some embodiments, the functional domain is connected directly or via a linker to the C-terminal of the TCR α chain in which the natural endodomain is deleted. In some embodiments, the linker is (G4S)n, where n represents an integer from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 6, more preferably 2 to 5, and most preferably, n is 3.
In some embodiments, at least one functional domain is connected to the C-terminal of TCR β chain in the αβ TCR complex.
In some embodiments, at least one functional domain is connected to the C-terminal of TCR β chain in the αβ TCR.
In some embodiments, the natural endodomain of the TCR β chain is deleted.
In some embodiments, the functional domain is connected directly or via a linker to the C-terminal of the TCR β chain in which the natural endodomain is deleted. In some embodiments, the linker is (G4S)n, where n represents an integer from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 6, more preferably 2 to 5, and most preferably, n is 3.
In some embodiments, at least one functional domain is connected to the C-terminal of TCR γ chain in the γδ TCR complex.
In some embodiments, at least one functional domain is connected to the C-terminal of TCR γ chain in the γδ TCR.
In some embodiments, the natural endodomain of the TCR γ chain is deleted.
In some embodiments, the functional domain is connected directly or via a linker to the C-terminal of the TCR γ chain in which the natural endodomain is deleted. In some embodiments, the linker is (G4S)n, where n represents an integer from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 6, more preferably 2 to 5, and most preferably, n is 3.
In some embodiments, at least one functional domain is connected to the C-terminal of TCR δ chain in the γδ TCR complex.
In some embodiments, at least one functional domain is connected to the C-terminal of TCR δ chain in the γδ TCR.
In some embodiments, the natural endodomain of the TCR δ chain is deleted.
In some embodiments, the functional domain is connected directly or via a linker to the C-terminal of the TCR δ chain in which the natural endodomain is deleted. In some embodiments, the linker is (G4S)n, where n represents an integer from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 6, more preferably 2 to 5, and most preferably, n is 3.
In some embodiments, at least one functional domain is connected to the C-terminals of two of TCR α chain, TCR β chain, CD3 ε, CD3 γ, CD3 δ and CD3 ζ in the αβ TCR complex.
In some embodiments, at least one functional domain is connected to the C-terminals of two of TCR γ chain, TCR δ chain, CD3 ε, CD3 γ, CD3 δ and CD3 ζ in the γδ TCR complex.
In some embodiments, at least one functional domain is connected to the respective C-terminals of TCR α chain and TCR β chain in the αβ TCR complex.
In some embodiments, at least one functional domain is connected to the respective C-terminals of TCR α chain and TCR β chain in the αβ TCR.
In some embodiments, the natural endodomain of each of the TCRα chain and TCR β chain is deleted.
In some embodiments, the functional domain is connected directly or via a linker to the C-terminal of each of the TCR α chain and TCR β chain in which the natural endodomain is deleted. In some embodiments, the linker is (G4S)n, where n represents an integer from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 6, more preferably 2 to 5, and most preferably, n is 3.
In some embodiments, at least one functional domain is connected to the respective C-terminals of TCR γ chain and TCR δ chain in the γδ TCR complex.
In some embodiments, at least one functional domain is connected to the respective C-terminals of TCR γ chain and TCR δ chain in the γδ TCR.
In some embodiments, the natural endodomain of each of the TCR γ chain and TCR δ chain is deleted.
In some embodiments, the functional domain is connected directly or via a linker to the C-terminal of each of the TCR γ chain and TCR δ chain in which the natural endodomain is deleted. In some embodiments, the linker is (G4S)n, where n represents an integer from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 6, more preferably 2 to 5, and most preferably, n is 3.
In some embodiments, two or more of TCR α chain, TCR β chain, CD3 ε, CD3 γ, CD3 δ and CD3 ζ in the αβ TCR complex are connected with the same or different functional domain.
In some embodiments, the TCR α chain and/or TCR β chain in the αβ TCR is connected to the same or different functional domain.
In some embodiments, two or more of TCR γ chain, TCR δ chain, CD3 ε, CD3 γ, CD3 δ and CD3 ζ in the γδ TCR complex are connected to the same or different functional domain.
In some embodiments, the TCR γ chain and/or TCR δ chain in the γδ TCR are connected to the same or different functional domain.
In some embodiments, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more functional domains are connected to the C-terminal of at least one of TCR α chain, TCR β chain, CD3 ε, CD3 γ, CD3 δ and CD3 ζ in the αβ TCR complex.
In some embodiments, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more functional domains are connected to the C-terminal of TCR α chain and/or TCR β chain in the αβ TCR.
In some embodiments, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more functional domains are connected to the C-terminal of at least one of TCR γ chain, TCR δ chain, CD3 ε, CD3 γ, CD3 δ and CD3 ζ in the γδ TCR complex.
In some embodiments, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more functional domains are connected to the C-terminal of the TCR γ chain and/or TCR δ chain in the γδ TCR.
In some embodiments, at least one functional domain, such as a costimulatory molecule endodomain, is connected to the C-terminal of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 of TCR α chain, TCR β chain, CD3 ε, CD3 γ, CD3 δ and CD3 ζ in the complex.
In some preferred embodiments, at least one functional domain, such as a costimulatory molecule endodomain is connected to the C-terminal of one of TCR α chain, TCR β chain, CD3 ε, CD3 γ, CD3 δ and CD3 ζ in the complex.
For example, in some embodiments, at least one functional domain, such as a costimulatory molecule endodomain, is connected to the C-terminal of the TCR α chain in the complex. In some preferred embodiments, the costimulatory molecule endodomain is OX40 or ICOS. In some embodiments, the TCR β chain, CD3 δ, CD3 γ, CD3 ε and CD3 ζ do not contain the at least one functional domain, such as a costimulatory molecule endodomain, additionally connected to the C-terminal thereof.
Alternatively, in some embodiments, at least one functional domain, such as a costimulatory molecule endodomain, is connected to the C-terminal of CD3δ in the complex. In some embodiments, TCR α, TCR β, CD3 γ, CD3 ε and CD3 ζ do not contain the at least one functional domain, such as a costimulatory molecule endodomain, connected to the C-terminal thereof.
In some preferred embodiments, at least one functional domain, such as a costimulatory molecule endodomain, is connected to the C-terminals of two of TCR α chain, TCR β chain, CD3 ε, CD3 γ, CD3 δ and CD3 ζ in the complex.
For example, in some embodiments, at least one functional domain, such as a costimulatory molecule endodomain, is connected to the C-terminals of the TCR α chain and TCR β chain in the complex. In some preferred embodiments, the costimulatory molecule endodomain is OX40 or ICOS. In some embodiments, CD3 δ, CD3 γ, CD3 ε and CD3 ζ do not contain the at least one functional domain, such as a costimulatory molecule endodomain, additionally connected to the C-terminal thereof.
In some embodiments, the functional domain is an exogenous functional domain. In some embodiments, the functional domain is an exogenous endodomain, such as a domain which is responsible for intracellular transduction function.
As used herein, “exogenous” means a protein or nucleic acid sequence derived from a foreign species, or, if derived from the same species, means a protein or nucleic acid sequence that has undergone significant changes in composition and/or position from its natural form by deliberate human intervention.
As used herein, a “functional domain” is selected from the endodomain of a costimulatory molecule such as CD40, OX40, ICOS, CD28, 4-1BB, CD27, and CD137; or the endodomain of a co-inhibitory molecule such as TIM3, PD1, CTLA4, and LAG3; or the endodomain of a cytokine receptor such as an interleukin receptor (such as IL-2 receptor, IL-7a receptor, or IL-21 receptor), an interferon receptor, a tumor necrosis factor superfamily receptor, a colony-stimulating factor receptor, a chemokine receptor, a growth factor receptor, or other membrane proteins, or the domain of an intracellular protein such as NIK. The functional domain may also be the fusion of a cytokine receptor endodomain with a human STATS activation moiety (the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 35) either directly or via a linker (e.g. (G4S) n, where n represents an integer from 1 to 10).
In some preferred embodiments, the functional domain is a costimulatory molecule endodomain, preferably OX40 or ICOS endodomain, and more preferably OX40 endodomain.
An exemplary CD40 endodomain contains the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 10. An exemplary OX40 endodomain contains the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 11. An exemplary ICOS endodomain contains the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 12. An exemplary CD28 endodomain contains the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 13. An exemplary 4-1BB endodomain contains the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 14. An exemplary CD27 endodomain contains the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 15. An exemplary IL-213 receptor endodomain contains the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 32. An exemplary IL-17a receptor endodomain contains the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 33. An exemplary IL-21 receptor endodomain contains the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 34. An exemplary fusion amino acid sequence of IL-213 receptor endodomain with a human STATS activation moiety is shown in SEQ ID NO: 36. An exemplary fusion amino acid sequence of IL-17a receptor endodomain with a human STATS activation moiety is shown in SEQ ID NO: 37.
In some embodiments, the first constant region is a native TCR α chain constant region, for example, a native human TCR α chain constant region (an exemplary human TCR α chain constant region amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO: 1) or a native mouse TCR α chain constant region (an exemplary mouse TCR α chain constant region amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO: 3); or the first constant region is a native TCR γ chain constant region, for example, a native human TCR γ chain constant region (an exemplary human TCR γ chain constant region amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO: 58) or a native mouse TCR γ chain constant region (an exemplary mouse TCR γ chain constant region amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO: 59).
In some embodiments, the first constant region is a modified TCR α chain constant region or a modified TCR γ chain constant region.
In some embodiments, the modified TCR α chain constant region is derived from the mouse TCR α chain constant region, in which the amino acid at position 48, such as threonine (T), is mutated to cysteine (C) as compared to the wild-type mouse TCR α chain constant region.
In some embodiments, the modified TCR α chain constant region is derived from the mouse TCR α chain constant region, in which, the amino acid at position 112, such as serine (S), is mutated to leucine (L), the amino acid at position 114, such as methionine (M), is mutated to isoleucine (I), and the amino acid at position 115, such as glycine (G), is mutated to valine(V), as compared to the wild-type mouse TCR α chain constant region.
In some embodiments, the modified TCR α chain constant region is derived from a mouse TCR α chain constant region, in which the amino acid (e.g. E) at position 6 is substituted by D, K at position 13 is substituted by R, and the amino acids at positions 15 to 18 are deleted, as compared to the wild-type mouse TCR α chain constant region.
In some embodiments, the modified TCR α chain constant region is derived from the mouse TCR α chain constant region, in which the amino acid at position 48, such as threonine (T), is mutated to cysteine (C), the amino acid at position 112, such as serine (S), is mutated to leucine (L), the amino acid at position 114, such as methionine (M), is mutated to isoleucine (I), and the amino acid at position 115, such as glycine (G), is mutated to valine(V), as compared to the wild-type mouse TCR α chain constant region.
In some embodiments, the modified TCR α chain constant region is derived from the mouse TCR α chain constant region, in which the amino acid (e.g. E) at position 6 is substituted by D, K at position 13 is substituted by R, the amino acids at positions 15 to 18 are deleted, the amino acid at position 48, such as threonine (T), is mutated to cysteine (C), the amino acid at position 112, such as serine (S), is mutated to leucine (L), the amino acid at position 114, such as methionine (M), is mutated to isoleucine (I), and the amino acid at position 115, such as glycine (G), is mutated to valine(V), as compared to the wild-type mouse TCR α chain constant region.
In some embodiments, the modified TCR α chain constant region is derived from a mouse TCR α chain constant region, in which the constant region endodomain is deleted, for example, amino acids at position 136-137 are deleted, as compared to the wild-type mouse TCR α chain constant region.
In some embodiments, the first constant region comprises the amino acid sequence shown in one of SEQ ID Nos: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 26, 41, 42, and 56.
In some embodiments, the second constant region is a native TCR β chain constant region, for example, a native human TCR β chain constant region (an exemplary human TCR (3 chain constant region amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO: 2) or a native mouse TCR β chain constant region (an exemplary mouse TCR (3 chain constant region amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO: 4); or the second constant region is a native TCR δ chain constant region, for example, a native human TCR δ chain constant region (an exemplary human TCR δ chain constant region amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO: 60) or a native mouse TCR δ chain constant region (an exemplary mouse TCR δ chain constant region amino acid sequence is shown in SEQ ID NO: 61).
In some embodiments, the second constant region is a modified TCR (3 chain constant region; or a modified TCR δ chain constant region.
In some embodiments, the modified TCR β chain constant region is derived from the mouse TCR β chain constant region, in which the amino acid at position 56, such as threonine (S), is mutated to cysteine (C) as compared to the wild-type mouse TCR β chain constant region.
In some embodiments, the modified TCR β chain constant region is derived from the mouse TCR (3 chain constant region, in which the amino acid (e.g. R) at position 6 is substituted by K, the amino acid (e.g. T) at position 6 is substituted by F, K at position 9 is substituted by E, S at position 11 is substituted by A, L at position 12 is substituted by V, and the amino acids at positions 17 and 21 to 25 are deleted, as compared to the wild-type mouse TCR β chain constant region.
In some embodiments, the modified TCR β chain constant region is derived from the mouse TCR (3 chain constant region, in which the amino acid at position 56, such as serine (S), is mutated to cysteine (C), the amino acid (e.g. R) at position 3 is substituted by K, the amino acid (e.g. T) at position 6 is substituted by F, K at position 9 is substituted by E, S at position 11 is substituted by A, L at position 12 is substituted by V, and the amino acids at positions 17 and 21 to 25 are deleted, as compared to the wild-type mouse TCR (3 chain constant region.
In some embodiments, the modified TCR β chain constant region is derived from the mouse TCR β chain constant region, in which the constant region endodomain is deleted, for example, amino acids at position 167-172 are deleted, as compared to the wild-type mouse TCR β chain constant region.
In some embodiments, the modified TCR β chain constant region comprises the amino acid sequence shown in one of SEQ ID Nos: 2, 4, 6, 9, 27, 43, and 57.
As used herein, a “target binding region” refers to a domain capable of binding (preferably specifically binding) to a target molecule. In some embodiments, the target is an antigen. Therefore, in some embodiments, the target binding region is an “antigen-binding region”.
In some embodiments, the target binding region (preferred antigen-binding region) alone or in combination with another target binding region (preferred antigen-binding region) may specifically bind to a target molecule (preferred target antigen).
In some embodiments, the first target binding region and the second target binding region are combined each other to specifically bind to a target antigen.
In some embodiments, the antigen-binding region is derived from an antibody that specifically binds to a target antigen. In some embodiments the antigen-binding region may also be derived from a specific receptor where the ligand of the receptor may serve as an antigen to be targeted. For example, the specific receptor may be a native T cell receptor. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding region comprises a variable region from a native T cell receptor. In some embodiments, the antigen-binding region may also be derived from a ligand particularly where the antigen to be targeted is a receptor.
In some embodiments, the antigen-binding region is derived from a native-specific T cell receptor. In some embodiments, the first antigen-binding region comprises a variable region shown in SEQ ID NO: 44 and the second antigen-binding region comprises a variable region shown in SEQ ID NO: 45. In some embodiments, the first antigen-binding region comprises a variable region shown in SEQ ID NO: 46 and the second antigen-binding region comprises a variable region shown in SEQ ID NO: 47. In some embodiments, the first antigen-binding region comprises a variable region shown in SEQ ID NO: 48 and the second antigen-binding region comprises a variable region shown in SEQ ID NO: 49.
In some embodiments, The target antigen is a disease-associated antigen, preferably a cancer-associated antigen, such as a cancer-associated antigen selected from the group consisting of: phosphatidylinositol proteoglycan 3 (GPC3), CD16, CD64, CD78, CD96, CLL1, CD116, CD117, CD71, CD45, CD71, CD123, CD138, ErbB2 (HER2/neu), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), EGFR Variant III (EGFRvIII), CD19, CD20, CD30, CD40, disialoganglioside GD2, ductal epithelial mucin, gp36, TAG-72, glycosphingolipids, glioma-associated antigen, β-human chorionic gonadotropin, a fetal globulin (AFP), exogenous lectin reactive AFP, thyroglobulin, RAGE-1, MN-CA IX, human telomerase reverse transcriptase, RU1, RU2 (AS), intestinal carboxylesterase, mut hsp70-2. M-CSF, prostase, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), PAP, NY-ESO-1, LAGA-1a, p53, Prostein, PSMA, survival and telomerase, prostate cancer tumor antigen-1 (PCTA-1), MAGE, ELF2M, neutrophil elastase, ephrin B2, CD22, insulin growth factor (IGF1)-I, IGF-II, IGFI receptor, mesothelin, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule presenting tumor-specific peptide epitopes, 5T4, ROR1, Nkp30, NKG2D, tumor matrix antigen, extradomain A (EDA) and extradomain B (EDB) of fibronectin, A1 domain of tenascin-C(TnC A1), fibroblast associated protein (fap), CD3, CD4, CD8, CD24, CD25, CD33, CD34, CD133, CD138, Foxp3, B7-1 (CD80), B7-2 (CD86), GM-CSF, cytokine receptor, endothelial factor, major histocompatibility complex(MHC) molecules, BCMA (CD269, TNFRSF17), TNFRSF17 (UNIPROT Q02223), SLAMF7 (UNIPROT Q9NQ25), GPRC5D (UNIPROT Q9NZD1), FKBP11 (UNIPROT Q9NYL4), KAMP3, ITGA8 (UNIPROT P53708), and FCRL5 (UNIPROT Q68SN8).
In some embodiments, the target antigen is an antigen derived from a pathogen or a surface antigen of a cell infected by a pathogen, such as RSVF (prevention of respiratory syncytial virus), PA (inhaled anthrax), CD4 (HIV infection), etc.
In some embodiments, The target antigen is disease-causing cells or molecules produced and secreted by cells, such as CD3 (involving transplant rejection), CD25 (involving acute rejection of kidney transplantation), C5 (involving paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria), IL-1 13 (cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes), RANKL (involving cancer-associated bone injury), von Willebrand factor (involving adult acquired thrombotic platelet purpura), plasma kallikrein (involving angioedema), calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor (involving migraine in adults), FGF23 (involving X-linked hypophosphatemia), etc.
The antigen-binding region may be derived from one or more known antibodies, including any commercially available antibodies, such as FMC63, rituximab, alemtuzumab, epratuzumab, trastuzumab, bivatuzumab, cetuximab, labetuzumab, palivizumab, sevirumab, tuvirumab, basiliximab, daclizumab, infliximab, omalizumab, efalizumab, keliximab, siplizumab, natalizumab, clenoliximab, pemtumomab, edrecolomab, cantuzumab, etc.
In some embodiments, the first antigen-binding region comprises a heavy chain variable region of an antibody that specifically binds to a target antigen, and the second antigen binding region comprises a light chain variable region of the antibody; alternatively, the first antigen-binding region comprises a light chain variable region of an antibody that specifically binds to a target antigen, and the second antigen-binding region comprises a heavy chain variable region of the antibody.
In some embodiments, the first antigen-binding region comprises a single chain antibody or a single domain antibody that specifically binds to a target antigen; and/or the second antigen-binding region comprises a single chain antibody or a single domain antibody that specifically binds to a target antigen.
In some embodiments, the single chain antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region linked by a linker, such as (G4S)n, where n represents an integer from 1 to 10, preferably n is 1 or 3.
In some embodiments, the first antigen-binding region and the second antigen-binding region bind to the same target antigen.
In some embodiments, the first antigen-binding region and the second antigen-binding region bind to different regions (e.g. different epitopes) of the same target antigen.
In some embodiments, the first antigen-binding region and the second antigen-binding region bind to different target antigens.
For example, in some exemplary embodiments, the two antigen-binding regions may bind to CD19 and CD20, respectively, or to CD19 and CD22, respectively, or to CD38 and BCMA, respectively, or to PDL1 and EGFR, respectively. In some embodiments, the first antigen-binding region and/or the second antigen-binding region specifically bind to CD19.
In some embodiments, the first antigen-binding region comprises a heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 50, and the second antigen-binding region comprises a light chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 51; alternatively, the first antigen-binding region comprises a light chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 51, and the second antigen-binding region comprises a heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 50, whereby the TCR or TCR complex specifically binds to CD19.
In some embodiments, the first antigen-binding region comprises a light chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 52, and the second antigen-binding region comprises a heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 53; alternatively, the first antigen-binding region comprises a heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 53, and the second antigen-binding region comprises a light chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 52, whereby the TCR or TCR complex specifically binds to GPC3.
In some embodiments, the first antigen-binding region comprises a heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 54, and the second antigen-binding region comprises a light chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 55; alternatively, the first antigen-binding region comprises a light chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 55, and the second antigen-binding region comprises a heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 54, whereby the TCR or TCR complex specifically binds to CD19.
In some embodiments, the first antigen-binding region comprises a heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 62, and the second antigen-binding region comprises a light chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 63; alternatively, the first antigen-binding region comprises a light chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 63, and the second antigen-binding region comprises a heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 62, whereby the TCR or TCR complex specifically binds to CD20.
In some embodiments, the first antigen-binding region and/or the second antigen-binding region comprise a single chain antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 50 and a light chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 51, whereby the first antigen-binding region and/or the second antigen-binding region specifically bind to CD19. In certain embodiments, the heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 50 and the light chain variable region amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 51 are connected via a linker. In some embodiments, the linker is (G4S)n, where n represents an integer from 1 to 10, preferably n is 1 or 3.
In some embodiments, the first antigen-binding region and/or the second antigen-binding region comprise a single chain antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 62 and a light chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 63, whereby the first antigen-binding region and/or the second antigen-binding region specifically bind to CD20. In certain embodiments, the heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 62 and the light chain variable region amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 63 are connected via a linker. In some embodiments, the linker is (G4S)n, where n represents an integer from 1 to 10, preferably n is 1 or 3.
In some embodiments, the first antigen-binding region and/or the second antigen-binding region comprise a single chain antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 52 and a light chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 53, whereby the first antigen-binding region and/or the second antigen-binding region specifically bind to GPC3. In certain embodiments, the heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 52 and the light chain variable region amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 53 are connected via a linker. In some embodiments, the linker is (G4S)n, where n represents an integer from 1 to 10, preferably n is 1 or 3.
In some embodiments, the first antigen-binding region and/or the second antigen-binding region comprise a single chain antibody comprising a heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 54 and a light chain variable region amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 55, whereby the first antigen-binding region and/or the second antigen-binding region specifically bind to CD19. In some embodiments, the heavy chain variable region amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 54 and the light chain variable region amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 55 are connected via a linker. In some embodiments, the linker is (G4S)n, where n represents an integer from 1 to 10, preferably n is 1 or 3.
In some embodiments, the first antigen-binding region comprises an scFv amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 38, and the second antigen-binding region comprises an scFv amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 39; alternatively, the first antigen-binding region comprises an scFv amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 39, and the second antigen-binding region comprises an scFv amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 38, whereby the TCR or TCR complex specifically binds to both CD19 and CD20.
In some embodiments, the CD3γ, CD36, CDR and/or CD3 is humanized In some embodiments, the human CD3γ comprises the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No: 28. In some embodiments, the human CD3γ comprises the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No: 29. In some embodiments, the human CD3γ comprises the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No: 30. In some embodiments, the human CD3γ comprises the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No: 31.
In another aspect, an isolated therapeutic immune cell is provided herein, which comprises the modified T cell receptor (TCR) or TCR complex of the present invention.
In some embodiments, the immune cell is a T cell. In other embodiments, the immune cell is a NK cell.
In another aspect, the present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding at least one of TCR α chain, TCR β chain, TCR γ chain, TCR δ chain, CD3 ε, CD3 γ, CD3 δ and CD3 ζ as defined above, wherein at least one exogenous functional endodomain is connected to the C-terminal of at least one of the TCR α chain, TCR (3 chain, TCR γ chain, TCR δ chain, CD3 ε, CD3 γ, CD3 δ and CD3 ζ.
In another aspect, the present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding TCR as defined above.
In some embodiments, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding TCR α chain and/or TCR β chain which is connected to at least one costimulatory molecule endodomain at the C-terminal thereof.
In some embodiments, the polynucleotide comprises i) a nucleotide sequence encoding the α chain, ii) a nucleotide sequence encoding the β chain, and iii) a nucleotide sequence encoding a self-cleavage peptide located between i) and ii) in the same reading frame. The nucleotide sequence encoding the a chain may be located at the 5′ end or the 3′ end of the nucleotide sequence encoding the β chain.
In some embodiments, the isolated polynucleotide comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding TCR γ chain and/or TCR δ chain which is connected to at least one costimulatory molecule endodomain at the C-terminal thereof.
In some embodiments, the polynucleotide comprises i) a nucleotide sequence encoding the γ chain, ii) a nucleotide sequence encoding the 6 chain, and iii) a nucleotide sequence encoding a self-cleavage peptide located between i) and ii) in the same reading frame. The nucleotide sequence encoding the γ chain may be located at the 5′ end or the 3′ end of the nucleotide sequence encoding the 6 chain.
As used herein, the “self-cleavage peptide” means a peptide that can carry out self-cleavage in cells. For example, the self-cleavage peptide may contain a protease recognition site, so as to be recognized and specifically cleaved by proteases in cells.
Alternatively, the self-cleavage peptide may be a 2A polypeptide. The 2A polypeptide is a kind of short peptide from virus, and its self-cleavage occurs during translation. When two different target proteins are linked by 2A polypeptide and expressed in the same reading frame, the two target proteins are generated almost in a ratio of 1:1. A common 2A polypeptide may be P2A from porcine techovirus-1, T2A from Thosea asigna virus, E2A from equine rhinitis A virus, and F2A from foot-and-mouth disease virus. Among them, P2A has the highest cutting efficiency and is therefore preferred. A variety of functional variants of these 2A polypeptides are also known in the art, which can also be used in the present invention.
In another aspect, the present invention provides an expression vector comprising the polynucleotide of the present invention operably linked to a regulatory sequence.
The “expression vector” of the present invention may be a linear nucleic acid fragment, a cyclic plasmid, a viral vector, or an RNA capable of translation (e.g. mRNA). In some preferred embodiments, the expression vector is a viral vector, such as a lentiviral vector.
The term “regulatory sequence” and “regulatory element” are used interchangeably to refer to a nucleotide sequence that is located upstream (5′ non-coding sequence), intermediate or downstream (3′ non-coding sequence) of a coding sequence and affect the transcription, RNA processing or stability or translation of the relevant coding sequence. An expression regulatory element refers to a nucleotide sequence that can control the transcription, RNA processing or stability, or translation of a nucleotide sequence of interest. A regulatory sequence may include, but is not limited to, a promoter, a translation leader sequence, an intron, an enhancer, and a polyadenylation recognition sequence.
As used herein, the term “operably linked” means that a regulatory element (e.g., but not limited to, a promoter sequence, a transcription termination sequence, etc.) is linked to a nucleic acid sequence (e.g., a coding sequence or an open reading frame) such that the nucleotide sequence transcription is controlled and regulated by the transcriptional regulatory element. Techniques for operably linking a regulatory element region to a nucleic acid molecule are known in the art.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for preparing the therapeutic immune cell of the present invention, comprising introducing the polynucleotide or expression vector of the present invention into the immune cell.
The immune cell of the present invention, such as a T cell or NK cell, may be obtained by various non-limiting methods from a number of non-limiting sources, including peripheral blood mononuclear cells, bone marrow, lymph node tissue, cord blood, thymus tissue, ascite, pleural effusion, spleen tissue, and tumor. In some embodiments, the cell may be derived from a healthy donor or from a patient diagnosed as cancer. In some embodiments, the cell may be part of a mixed population of cells showing distinct phenotypic profiles. For example, T cells can be obtained by isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), then activating and amplifying with a specific antibody.
In some embodiments of aspects of the invention, the immune cells, such as T cells, are derived from autologous cells of a subject. As used herein, “autologous” means that cells, cell line, or population of cells used to treat a subject is derived from the subject. In some embodiments, the immune cells, such as T cells, are derived from allogeneic cells, such as a donor compatible with the subject human leukocyte antigen (HLA). Cells from donors can be converted into non-alloreactive cells using standard protocols and replicated as needed to produce cells that can be administered to one or more patients.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition, which comprises the therapeutic immune cell of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
As used herein, a “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes any and all physiologically compatible solvents, dispersion medium, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic agents and absorption retarders, etc. Preferably, the carrier is suitable for intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, parenteral, spinal, or epidermal administration (e.g. by injection or infusion).
In another aspect, the present invention provides the use of the therapeutic immune cell of the present invention in the preparation of a medicine for the treatment of diseases in a subject.
As use herein, “subject” refers to an organism that suffers from or is prone to suffer from a disease (e.g., cancer) that can be treated by the cell, method, or pharmaceutical composition of the present invention. A non-limiting example includes a human, a cattle, a rat, a mouse, a dog, a monkey, a goat, a sheep, a cow, a deer, and other non-mammals. In some preferred embodiments, the subject is a human.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for treating a disease such as cancer in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of therapeutic immune cell or pharmaceutical composition of the present invention.
As used herein, a “therapeutically effective amount” or “therapeutically effective dose” or “effective amount” refers to the amount of a substance, compound, material or cell that is at least sufficient to produce a therapeutic effect after administration to a subject. Therefore, it is an amount necessary to prevent, cure, improve, block or partially block the symptoms of disease or disorder. For example, an “effective amount” of the cell or pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may preferably result in a decrease in the severity of disorder symptoms, an increase in the frequency and duration of the asymptomatic period of the disorder, or the prevention of injury or disability as a result of suffering from the disorder. For example, for the treatment of tumor, an “effective amount” of the cell or pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may preferably inhibit tumor cell growth or tumor growth by at least about 10%, preferably at least about 20%, more preferably at least about 30%, more preferably at least about 40%, more preferably at least about 50%, more preferably at least about 60%, more preferably at least about 70%, and more preferably at least about 80%, as compared to an untreated subject. The ability to inhibit tumor growth can be evaluated in an animal model system that may predict efficacy in a human tumor. Alternatively, it is possible to perform evaluation by examining the ability to inhibit the growth of tumor cells which may be determined in vitro by tests known to those skilled in the art.
In practice, the dose level of cells in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may vary to obtain an amount of the active ingredient that can effectively achieve the desired therapeutic response to a specific patient, composition and administration route without toxicity to the patient. The chosen dose level depends on a variety of pharmacokinetic factors, including the activity of the applied particular composition of the invention, administration route, administration time, excretion rate of the applied particular compound, duration of treatment, applied other drugs, compounds and/or materials in combination with the applied particular composition, age, gender, weight, condition, general health and medical history of the patient to be treated, and similar factors known in the medical field.
The administration of the therapeutic immune cell or pharmaceutical composition or drug according to the present invention may be carried out in any convenient manner, such as through injection, infusion, implantation or transplantation. The administration of the cell or composition described herein may be intravenous, intralymphatic, intradermal, intratumoral, intramedullary, intramuscular, or intraperitoneal administration. In one embodiment, the cell or composition of the present invention is preferably administered by intravenous injection.
In embodiments of various aspects of the invention, the disease is, for example, cancer, examples of such cancers include, but are not limited to, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, melanoma, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, lymphoma, malignant hematological diseases, head and neck cancer, glioma, gastric cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, laryngeal cancer, cervical cancer, uterine body tumor, osteosarcoma, bone cancer, pancreatic cancer, skin cancer, prostate cancer, uterine cancer, anal cancer, testicular cancer, fallopian tube cancer, endometrial carcinoma, vaginal cancer, vulva cancer, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, esophageal cancer, small intestinal cancer, endocrine system cancer, thyroid cancer, parathyroid carcinoma, adrenal cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, urethral cancer, penis cancer, chronic or acute leukemia (including acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia), solid tumors in children, lymphocytic lymphoma, bladder cancer, renal or ureteral cancer, renal pelvis cancer, central nervous system (CNS) tumor, primary CNS lymphoma, tumor angiogenesis, spinal tumor, brain stem glioma, pituitary adenoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, epidermal carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, T-cell lymphoma, environment-induced cancer (including asbestos-induced cancer), and combinations of thereof.
In embodiments of various aspects of the invention, the disease is of, for example, pathogen infection, examples of the pathogen include, but are not limited to, respiratory syncytial virus, Bacillus anthracia, human immunodeficiency virus, and the like.
In embodiments of various aspects of the invention the disease is of, for example, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological diseases, anti-rejection after transplantation, and so on.
1.1 Prototype Design of STAR
The secreted antibody (Antibody, Ab) or B-cell receptor (BCR) produced by B cells has great similarity to the T-cell receptor (TCR) in terms of genetic structure, protein structure and spatial conformation. Both the antibody and TCR consist of a variable region and a constant region, in which the variable region plays the role of antigen-recognizing and binding, while the constant region domain plays the role of structural interaction and signal transduction. By replacing the variable regions of TCR α and β chains (or TCR γ and 6 chains) with the heavy chain variable region (VH) and light chain variable region (VL) of the antibody, an artificially synthetic chimeric molecule called Synthetic T-Cell Receptor and Antibody Receptor (STAR/WT-STAR) can be constructed with the structure thereof shown in
A STAR molecule has two chains, wherein the first chain is obtained by fusing an antigen recognition sequence (such as an antibody heavy chain variable region) with a constant region (C α) of a T cell receptor a chain (TCR α), and the second chain is obtained by fusing an antigen recognition sequence (such as an antibody light chain variable region) with a constant region (C β) of a T cell receptor β chain (TCR β). The antigen recognition domain (such as VH, VL or scFv) and the constant domain (constant domain of TCR α, β, γ and δ) in the construct can be arranged and combined to form a variety of constructs with different configurations but similar functions.
The first and second chains of STAR molecule, after expressing in T cells, will combined with endogenous CD3 ε δ, CD3 γ ε and CD3 ζ chains in the endoplasmic reticulum to form a eight-subunit complex, which is present on the surface of cell membrane in the form of complex. An immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) is a signal transduction motif in a TCR molecule, with its conserved sequence of YxxL/V. The endodomain of CD3 ε, δ, γ and ε chains comprises one ITAM sequence, and that of CD3 ζ chain comprises three ITAM sequences, so a complete STAR complex has a total of ten ITAM sequences. When the antigen recognition sequence of a STAR receptor binds to its specific antigen, the intracellular ITAM sequence will be phosphorylated successively, which then in turn activate the downstream signaling pathway, activating transcription factors such as NF-κ β, NFAT, and AP-1, to initiate the activation of T cells and produce effector functions. Previous studies by the inventor have shown that STAR can activate T cells better than a conventional chimeric antigen receptor CAR, and the background activation in the absence of antigen stimulation is significantly reduced, thus having significant advantages (see Chinese invention patent application No. 201810898720.2). However, a further improvement to STAR is still desired.
1.2. Design of Mutant STAR (Mut-STAR) and STAR with Transmembrane Domain and Endodomain Modified (Ub-STAR)
The STAR prototype design used a humanzied TCR α/β chain (or TCR γ and δ chains) constant region sequence (wild-type human TCR α constant region, SEQ ID NO: 1; wild-type human TCR β constant region, SEQ ID NO: 2). Due to the constant region sequences of human, primate and murine TCR α/β chains (mouse TCRaC-WT, SEQ ID NO: 3; mouse TCRbC-WT, SEQ ID NO: 4) are highly conserved, and have the same key amino acid sequence as well, they can be replaced with each other.
After being transferred into T cells, STAR molecules will mismatch with the endogenous TCR of T cells through the constant region. On one hand, this mismatch problem may reduce the efficiency of correct pairing of STAR molecules and weakens their functions, which, on the other hand, may increase the possibility of unknown specificity due to mismatch and increases the security risk. To solve this problem, the constant region of a STAR molecule was replaced with a murine sequence by the inventors to enhance the functions of the STAR molecule after being transferred into human T cells. In order to further optimize the design of STAR molecule, cysteine mutation was carried out on the STAR molecule by the inventors to introduce an intermolecular disulfide bond, thereby enhancing mutual pairing between two chains of the STAR molecule, and reducing mismatch with an endogenous TCR. Specifically, threonine (T) at position 48 was mutated to cysteine (C) (mouse TCRaC-Cys, SEQ ID NO: 5) in TCR α chain constant region, and serine (S) at position 56 was mutated to cysteine (C) (mouse TCRbC-Cys, SEQ ID NO: 6) in the TCR β chain constant region. The two new added cysteines will form a disulfide bond between the two chains of STAR, thereby reducing mismatch between the two chains of STAR with the endogenous TCR chain, and helping STAR molecules form more stable complexes, thus obtaining better functions. In addition, in order to further optimize the design of a STAR molecule, hydrophobic amino acid substitution was performed by the inventors on the transmembrane domain of the STAR molecule to increase the stability of the STAR molecule and help it play a more lasting function. Specifically, three amino acid mutations were carried out at amino acid positions 111 to 119 in the transmembrane domain of TCR α chain constant region: serine (S) at position 112 was mutated to leucine (L), methionine (M) at position 114 was mutated to isoleucine (I), and glycine (G) at position 115 was mutated to serine (V). The whole amino acid sequence in this region was changed from LSVMGLRIL to LLVIVLRIL, and this modification was called mouse TCRaC-TM9, which produced a constant region sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7. This design increased the hydrophobicity of transmembrane domain, counteracts the instability caused by positive charges carried by the TCR transmembrane domain, and makes STAR molecule more stable on the cell membrane, thus obtaining better functions, with the structure thereof shown in
After TCR bound to antigen and activation was completed, lysine in the endodomain and transmembrane domain of the TCR molecule was subject to ubiquitin modifications through a series of ubiquitination reactions by a ubiquitin activating enzyme, ubiquitin binding enzyme and ubiquitin ligase ubiquitinate, thereby producing T cell endocytosis, leading to the endocytosis of TCR molecules into the cells for further degradation by lysosomes, thus reducing the concentration of TCR molecules on the surface of the T cell membrane, resulting in the continuous decline of the effect of T cell activation. The amino acids in the transmembrane domain or endodomain of the a and β chains in the mut-STAR molecule were modified by the inventors, which comprising: mutating lysine in the endodomain of the a chain constant region and the transmembrane domain of the β chain constant region of the STAR molecule to arginine, producing the constant region sequence of Mouse TCR α C-Arg mut (SEQ ID NO: 8) and the constant region sequence of Mouse TCR β C-Arg mut (SEQ ID NO: 9), respectively, to reduce the endocytosis of STAR molecule caused by lysine ubiquitination. This design reduced the possibility of ubiquitination of the transmembrane domain and endodomain of a STAR molecule, thus reducing the endocytosis of STAR molecules, enabling the STAR molecules more stable on the cell membrane and obtain better functions, with the structure thereof shown in
In order to improve the proliferation ability in vivo of mut-STAR cells, the effect survival time and the ability to infiltrate into the tumor microenvironment to kill the target cells efficiently, a new structure was designed by the inventors, wherein, the mut-STAR complex was modified, and an enhanced mut-STAR cell can be tailored as needed, so as to improve the clinical response of TCR-T and realize a lasting curative effect.
2.1. Design of Mut-STAR Molecules (Co-STAR) Comprising a Costimulatory Molecule Receptor Endodomain
TCR is a special marker on the surface of all T cells, which can be divided into αβ TCR and γ δ TCR, and the corresponding T cells thereof are αβ T cells and γδ T cells respectively. αβ-STAR and γδ-STAR were modified with costimulatory signals, respectively, by the inventors, to improve the performance of αβ T cells and γδ T cells, respectively.
TCR of αβ T cells consists of TCR α and TCR β chains, accounting for 90%-95% of the total T cells. αβ TCR consists of a variable region and a constant region, in which the variable region has a wide diversity and plays the role of antigen recognition and binding, while the constant region domain plays the role of structural interaction and signal transduction. In order to enhance the toxicity and proliferation persistence of T cells, according to the present invention, an endodomain sequence of a humanized costimulatory receptor is introduced to the C-terminal of the αβ-STAR constant region (
TCR of γδ T cells consists of TCR γ and TCR δ chains, γδ T cells can be divided into three subgroups: γ δ1, γ δ2 and γ δ3 based on the type of TCR δ chain, with different subgroups having different distribution in human bodies. γδ T cells recognize an antigen in an MHC-restricted way, which plays an important role in the surveillance of pathogens and tumors. Experiments showed that, CD28 or 4-1BB, and similar costimulatory signals played an important role in the activation and proliferation of γδ T cells. The endodomain sequence of human costimulatory molecule receptor was introduced to the C terminal of TCR γ and TCR 6, respectively (
2.2. Design of CD3 molecule (co-CD3-STAR) comprising a costimulatory molecule receptor endodomain
A CD3 subunit includes γ chain, δ chain, ε chain and ζ chain, and forms a T cell receptor complex with a TCR molecule, which transmits signals from the ectodomain to endodomain, so as to regulate the state of cells and response to stimuli. In order to design enhanced TCR T cells and improve the tumor killing ability, proliferation ability and survival time of T cells in vivo, a CD3 molecule was modified by the inventors by introducing a human costimulatory molecule receptor endodomain to the C terminal of CD3 γ chain (SEQ ID NO: 28), δ chain (SEQ ID NO: 29), ε chain (SEQ ID NO: 30) and ζ chain (SEQ ID NO: 31) (
2.3. Design of CD3 Molecule Comprising the Stimulatory Region of Cytokine Receptor (Cytokine-STAR, CK-STAR)
Cytokines play an important role in proliferation, anti-tumor and differentiation of T cells. Different cytokines combine with their respective receptors to transmit signals from the ectodomain to endodomain, so as to regulate the state of cells and response to stimuli. In addition, studies showed that the downstream molecule STATS (SEQ ID NO: 35) was activated by cascade reaction at the IL-2 receptor endodomain, thus enhancing the transcription of T cell proliferation-related molecules and enhancing the proliferation ability of CAR-T cells. In order to design enhanced STAR-T cells and improve the tumor-killing ability, proliferation ability and survival time of T cells in vivo, the STAR molecule was modified by the inventors by linking the intracellular signal transduction domain of a human cytokine receptor (e.g., IL-2 β receptor endodomain IL2Rb, SEQ ID NO: 32; IL-7 α receptor endodomain, SEQ ID NO: 33; IL-21 receptor endodomain, SEQ ID NO: 34, etc.)) to the C-terminal of TCR α chain or β chain or both α and β chains, or by further linking the STATS activation moiety to the IL-2 β or IL-7R α receptor endodomain via G4S (IL-2RbQ, SEQ ID NO: 36; IL-7RbQ, SEQ ID NO: 37) (
3.1 Vector Sources
The vectors used in the present invention, including viral vectors, plasmid vectors, etc. were purchased from or synthesized by commercial companies, and the full-length sequences of these vectors are obtained, and the specific cleavage sites are known.
3.2. Fragment Sources
The TCR mentioned in the invention can be any functional TCR, including WT-STAR, mut-STAR, ub-STAR, co-STAR, co-linker-STAR, CK-STAR, co-CD3-STAR and the like used in the invention. Gene fragments, such as the variable region of TCR, the constant region of TCR, the endodomain of a costimulatory molecule receptor, the intracellular signal transduction region of a cytokine receptor, a tag sequence, a linker and the like used in the present invention were all synthesized by commercial companies. These gene fragments were linked by PCR.
In this example, the optimization of TCR complex was validated using STAR comprising ScFv shown in SEQ ID NO: 38 (derived from a CD20-targeting antibody, OFA) and/or ScFv shown in SEQ ID NO: 39 (derived from a CD19-targeting antibody, FMC63), and was compared with a blank control group Mock expressing only RFP protein shown in SEQ ID NO: 40 (red fluorescent protein, RFP).
3.3. Vector Construction
The lentiviral vector used herein was pHAGE-EF1 α-IRES-RFP, wherein the linear vector was obtained by restriction enzyme Not I/Nhe I, the gene fragment was obtained by synthesis and PCR, and the complete vector was obtained by homologous recombination.
4.1 Construction of Plasmid pHAGE-Luciferase-GFP
As a lentiviral vector, pHAGE can stably insert target genes into the genome of a target cell, which is an important way to construct a stable cell line. Luciferase was a kind of enzyme with catalytic activity, which can catalyze the chemical autoluminescence of a substrate to make the target cell express luciferase stably, the number of target cells can be indicated after adding the substrate, thus reflecting the effect of functional cells on target cells. A pHAGE-EF1A vector carrying restriction endonuclease NotI/ClaI cleavage sites was cleavaged by the two enzymes, and luciferase and GFP sequences were obtained by NCBI, the fragments were synthesized by Ruiboxingke, a commercial company, by combing the luciferase gene with GFP gene using Overlap PCR, and then the luciferase-GFP fragment was connected to the pHAGE vector by homologous recombination.
4.2 Construction of Target Cell Line Carrying Luciferase
After a lentiviral vector carrying with luciferase and GFP was successfully constructed, the lentivirus was packed by Lenti-X-293T, and the lentivirus solution was concentrated by PEG8000, the virus titer was measured by the gradient dilution method, and then the lymphoma cell line Raji was infected, after 72 hours of infection, whether there were GFP positive cells was observed by a fluorescence microscope, and then GFP positive cells were sorted by a flow sorter, and monoclonal cells were selected for library building and preservation. At the same time, the luciferase substrate was used to incubate with target cells, and the expression and detection levels of luciferase were detected to determine the expression level.
4.3 Construction of TCR α-β Knockout Jurkat Cell Line
Based on the structure and sequence characteristics of TCR, a guide sequence was designed in the constant regions of a and β chains to construct a TCR α-β-Jurkat cell line. The exon sequences of the constant regions of TCR α and β chains were obtained in NCBI, and the exon 1 sequences of the constant regions of TCR α and β chains were submitted to the tools.genome-engineering.org website for designing guide sequences, based on the result, an oligo sequence was synthesized, and then a sgRNA-LentiCRISPR lentiviral vector (purchased from Aidi gene) was constructed. The guide sequence of α chain was linked to LentiCRISPR-puro, and the guide sequence of β chain was linked to LentiCRISPR-BSD.
Packaging of sgRNA-LentiCRISPR lentivirus: HEK-293T was planked to a 10 cm dish in advance, and when the cells grew to 80%-90%, the transfection system was added to HEK-293T, and the cells were put back into the incubator at 37° C. for culture. This time was counted as 0 hours; 12 hours after transfection, fresh 10% FBS-DMEM as added. The virus was collected 48 hours and 72 hours after transfection. The culture medium containing virus was centrifuged and filtered, mixed with PEG8000, placed at 4° C. for more than 12 hours, then centrifuged at 3500 rpm for 30 min, and resuspended and precipitated with an appropriate volume of medium after discarding the supernatant. The resultant was frozen at −80V, or used directly.
Infection and screening of Jurkat T cells and identification of monoclonal cell line: Jurkat T cells were inoculated in a 12- or 24-well plate, followed by adding sgRNA-LentiCRISPR virus of a chain and β chain with appropriate volumes at the same time, as well as polybrene (added at a ratio of 1:1000 based on the total volume), and mixing well. Centrifugation infection was performed at 1000 rpm at 32° C. for 90 min. The resultant was placed in an incubator at 37° C. with counting as 0 hours; the liquid was changed after 10 to 12 hours; after 48 hours, Puromycin were added to the appropriate final concentration, and after treating for additional 48 hours, as shown, the cells in the uninfected control group all died. The surviving cells were sucked out, centrifuged and cultured in a complete medium to obtain a TCR α-β-Jurkat cell bank. Single cells from the TCR α-β-Jurkat cell bank were sorted into a 96-well plate by the flow sorter Aria, after two weeks of culture, the grown monoclones were sucked out for amplification culture. Monoclonal cell lines were identified with TCR α chain and β chain antibodies, respectively, and the cell lines with both chain deficient were amplified to obtain an endogenous TCR knockout Jurkat-T cell line.
5.1 Lentivirus System and Packaging Method (Different Generations)
Lentix-293T cells were inoculated to a 10 cm culture dish at 5×105/mL, and cultured in an incubator at 37° C. with 5% CO2, transfection was carried out when the cell density reached about 80% (observed under a microscope). The three plasmids were mixed with 500 μL of serum-free DMEM according to a 1:2:3 ratio of PMD2.G:PSPAX:transfer plasmid. 54 μL of PEI-Max and 500 uL of serum-free DMEM were mixed uniformly and left at room temperature for 5 min (in a 3:1 volume-mass ratio of PEI-Max to plasmid). A PEI-max mixture was slowly added to the plasmid mixture, blown gently, mixed evenly, and then left at room temperature for 15 min. The final mixture was slowly added to the culture medium, and evenly mixed, then put back into the incubator for another culture for 12 h to 16 h, then changed to a 6% FBS DMEM medium for another culture, and the virus solution was collected at 48 h and 72 h.
5.2 Virus Titer Measurement
Jurkat-C5 cells were inoculated in a flat-bottomed 96-well plate at 1.5×105 cells/mL, and 100 uL of 1640 medium containing 10% FBS and 0.2 μL 1000× polybrene was added to each well. Virus dilution was carried out with a 1640 complete medium with 10 times dilution, the virus dosage in the first well was 100 μL when determining as the virus stock solution, or was 1 μL when determining as the concentrated solution. The diluted cells were added to the viral wells at 100 μL/well, mixed at 32° C., centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 90 min, cultured in an incubator at 37° C. with 5% CO2 for 72 hours. Cells from the flat-bottomed 96-well plate were sucked into a round-bottomed 96-well plate, centrifuged at 4° C. and 1800 rpm for 5 min, and the supernatant was discarded. After adding 200 uL of 1×PBS, centrifugation was carried out at 4° C. and 1800 rpm for 5 min, and the supernatant was discarded. 200 uL of 4% tissue fixing solution was added, and the resultant solution was kept away from light, and was measured with a flow cytometry. The infection efficiency was measured by flow cytometry, the well with an effection rate of 2-30% was selected when calculating the titer according to the formula: titer (TU/mL)=1.5×104× Positive rate/virus volume (μL)×1000. Viruses of the following plasmids were packaged by the above method: pHAGE-EF1A-IRES-RFP, WT-STAR, mut-STAR, co-WT-STAR (αβ-4-1BB-WT, αβ-CD27-WT, αβ-CD28-WT, αβ-ICOS-WT, αβ-OX40-WT, αβ-OX40-WT), co-STAR (αβ-4-1BB, αβ-CD27, αβ-CD28, αβ-ICOS, αβ-OX40, αβ-OX40), co-CD3-STAR (CD3 δ-4-1BB, CD3 δ-CD28, CD3 δ-ICOS, CD3 δ-OX40, CD3 ε-4-1BB, CD3 ε-CD28, CD3 ε-ICOS, CD3 ε-OX40, CD3 γ-OX40, CD3 γ-ICOS, CD3 γ-OX40, CD3 ζ-41BB, CD3 ζ-CB28, CD3 ζ-ICOS, CD3 ζ-OX40), co-linker-STAR (TCR β-del-OX40, TCR α-del-G4S-OX40, TCR α-del-G4S-OX40, TCR β-del-(G4S) 3-OX40, TCR β-del-(G4S) 7-OX40), C K-STAR (β-IL-2Rb STAR, β-IL-2RbQ STAR, α-IL-2RbQ STAR, α-IL-7RA STAR, α-IL-7RAQ STAR, α-IL-21R STAR), and so on.
6.1 Jurkat T Cell Line Culture
The Jurkat T cell line was cultured in a RPMI1640 medium containing 10% FBS with a culture density of 3*105/ml and up to 3*106/ml, and subcultured every 1 to 2 days. After cell counting, the required number of cells were taken and supplemented with the culture medium to adjust to the above density, and place in a CO2 incubator for culture.
6.2 Jurkat T Cell Line Infection
Cells were counted, 1*106/ml cells were taken, centrifuged and changed with the liquid, resuspended with 1 mL of RPMI 1640 medium containing 10% FBS, and added to a 24-well plate with a proper amount of virus solution added as well, centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 90 min, and placed in a CO2 incubator for culture. The liquid was completely changed with fresh RPMI 1640 medium containing 10% FBS after 12 hours of infection, and the positive rate was detected after 72 hours.
6.3 Human Primary T Cell Culture
The primary T cells were isolated by Ficoil method and cultured in an X-VIVO medium containing 10% FBS and 100 IU/mL IL-2, with the initial culture density being 1*106/mL, and then added to a CD3- and RetroNectin r-Fibronectin (with a final concentration of 5 ug/ml each)-pre-coated well plate. The density of anaphase culture was 5*105/mL and up to 3*106/mL, and subculture was carried out every 1 to 2 days.
6.4 Human Primary T Cell Infection
After culture for 48 h, the primary T cells were added with the virus solution with MOI=20, centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 90 min, and then placed in a CO2 incubator for culture. After 24 hours of infection, an X-VIVO medium containing 10% FBS and 100 IU/mL IL-2 was supplemented, and the wells were rotated, after 72 hours, the infection efficiency was detected by a tag protein or antibody.
6.5. Detection Method of Infection Efficiency
After 72 h of infection, the cells were blown evenly and counted, and taken at 5*105/ml, centrifuged, then the supernatant was discarded, the staining solution used was PBS+2% FBS+2 mM EDTA, the corresponding antibody was added for incubation for 30 min, then PBS was added for washing twice, and detection was carried out on the computer.
7.1. In Vitro Co-Culture Method for T Cells and Target Cells
Target cells Raji-luciferase, RajiCD19KO-luciferase, RajiCD20KO-luciferase and primary T cells were suspension cells, for co-incubation, the corresponding number of cells were taken, and mixed with the target cell medium and centrifuged for culture. The specific steps were as follows: the primary T cells were infected with the packaged and purified WT-STAR and mut-STAR T viruses, and one day before co-culture, the infection efficiency was detected by flow cytometry, and the ratio of effector cell to target cell was determined and commonly used at a 1:1 ratio, and the total number of T cells was calculated according to the infection efficiency, the common usage of target cells was 1×105/well (96-well plate).
7.2. Stimulation of T Cells by Target Antigen
The target antigen of the present invention is generally a cell surface protein, which can be directly used for T cell activation to detect the function of T cells. Positive T cells were commonly added at 1×105/well, centrifuged and activated for 24 hours, then T cells or target cells were collected to detect the T cell function.
7.3. T Cell Killing Function Validation: Luciferase Assay
T cells were co-cultured with target cells for 24 h, then the cell suspension was gently blown evenly, 150 μL of cell suspension per well was taken and added to a white 96-well plate, centrifuged at 1500 rpm/min for 5 min, and the supernatant was taken and added with a cell lysate for lysing at room temperature for 15 min, then centrifuged at 4° C. at 4000 rpm/min for 15 min, then the supernatant was taken with 2 parallel wells being taken for each well, and added with a luciferase substrate (firefly luciferase assay reagent), then detected by a multifunctional microplate reader with the gain value fixing as 100 to obtain a chemiluminescence value. Cell killing calculation: killing efficiency=100%−(effector cell-target cell value per well/control cell-target cell value per well).
7.4. The detection results of T cell killing function test by the luciferase assay showed that mutant mut-STAR T cells exhibited a stronger T cell tumor-killing ability, as shown in
8.1. In Vitro Co-Culture Method for T Cells and Target Cells
Target cells Raji-luciferase and primary T cells were suspension cells, for co-incubation, the corresponding number of cells were taken and mixed with the target cell culture medium, then centrifuged for culture. The specific steps were as follows: the primary T cells were infected with the packaged and purified WT-STAR and mut-STAR T viruses, and one day before co-culture, the infection efficiency was detected by flow cytometry, and the ratio of effector cell to target cell was determined, and co-incubation was carried out usually at the ratio of 8:1, 4:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:4 and 1:8, and the difference of co-incubation with time was also detected usually at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 36 h and 48 h. To detect the proliferation of co-STAR T cells, target cells Raji-luciferase were incubated with primary T cells for 7 days to observe the changes of cell proliferation number and IL-2 secretion, then positive T cells were sorted by flow cytometry and subject to resting culture without antigen stimulation for two days, which, were then cocultured again with target cells for 24 hours to detect the killing of T cells, with the common usage of target cells being 1×105/well (96-well plate).
8.2. Method of Stimulating T Cells by Target Antigen
The target antigen of the present invention was generally a cell surface protein, which can be directly used for activating T cells to detect the function of T cells, in particular, the target antigen was usually added with 1×105/well positive T cells, centrifuged and activated for 24 hours to collect the cell suspension or culture supernatant for detecting T cell function, or activated for 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours, 48 hours or 7 days to detect the killing function of T cells.
8.3. T Cell Killing Function Validation: Luciferase Assay
T cells were co-cultured with target cells for different times, then the cell suspension was gently blown evenly, 150 μL of cell suspension per well was taken and added to a white 96-well plate, centrifuged at 1500 rpm/min for 5 min, and the supernatant was taken and added with a cell lysate for lysing at room temperature for 15 min, then centrifuged at 4° C. at 4000 rpm/min for 15 min, then the supernatant was taken with 2 parallel wells being taken for each well, and added with a luciferase substrate (firefly luciferase assay reagent), then detected by a multifunctional microplate reader with the gain value fixing as 100 to obtain a chemiluminescence value. Cell killing calculation: killing efficiency=100%-(effector cell-target cell value per well/control cell-target cell value per well).
The detection results of T cell killing function test by the luciferase assay showed that mut-STAR with costimulatory endodomain connected to the C-terminals of both TCR α chain and β chain exhibited similar tumor killing effect at different E:T ratios of T cells and target cells, and there was no significant difference in residual tumor survival rate at different E:T ratios, as shown in
8.4. Analysis of Cytokine Secretion by T Cells: ELISA
During T cell activation, a large number of cytokines, such as TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-2, were released to help T cells kill target cells or promote the expansion of T cells themselves. After T cells were stimulated by target cells or antigens, T cells were collected, centrifuged, and the supernatant was taken. The TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-2 ELISA kits used were Human IL-2 Uncoated ELISA, Human TNF-α Uncoated ELISA, and Human IFN-γ Uncoated ELISA (Art.No. 88-7025, 88-7346, 88-7316, respectively). The specific steps were as follows: diluting 10× Coating Buffer to 1× with ddH2O, adding coated antibody (250×), mixing well and adding to a 96-well plate at 100 μL/well. After sealing with the plastic wrap and staying overnight at 4° C., 1×PBST (1×PBS with 0.05% Tween 20 added) was used for washing 3 times with 260 μL/well each time, 5× ELISA/ELISPOT Diluent was diluted to 1× with ddH2O and then added to the 96-well plate with 200 μL/well, followed by standing at room temperature for 1 hour. PBST was used for washing once, and dilution was performed according to a standard curve (ranging from: 2 to 250, 4 to 500, 4 to 500, respectively), the samples were diluted to 20 to 50 times with 1×Diluent. Samples diluted according to the standard curve were added with 100 microliters per well, two parallel wells were taken and incubated at room temperature for 2 hours, PBST was used for washing three times, then a Detection antibody diluted with 1×Diluent was added, after incubation for 1 h, PBST was used for washing three times, then HRP diluted with 1×Diluent was added, after incubation for 30 minutes, the solution was washed six times, TMB was added for color development with the color development time being less than 15 min, and 2N H2SO4 was added for termination, light absorption at 450 nm was detected.
The ELISA results showed that, after T cells were co-incubated with target cells for 24 h, the IL-2 secretion of mut-STAR (αβ-OX40) with OX40 endodomain linked to the C-terminals of both TCR α chain and β chain was about 10000 pg/ml, which was significantly higher than that of STAR with other structures, in which that of mut-STAR, αβ-41BB, αβ-CD27, αβ-CD28 and αβ-ICOS was about 7700 pg/ml, 6450 pg/ml, 6690 pg/ml, 6000 pg/ml, and 6050 pg/ml, respectively; in terms of TNF α and IFN-γ secretion, αβ-OX40 also showed similar results with mut-STAR, while other structures showed different decreases, as shown in
8.5. Detection of T Cell Proliferation Changes: Counting by Flow Cytometry
During T cell activation, a large number of cytokines were released to help T cells kill target cells or promote the expansion of T cells themselves, and the most obvious occurrence in T-cell proliferation was a significant change in the number of T cells. T cells were incubated with target cells for 7 days, then centrifuged, resuspended to 200 uL with PBS, and the number of positive T cells was counted by flow cytometry. Changes of T cell proliferation: Proliferation fold=number of positive T cells after 7 days/initial number of positive T cells added.
After sorting, mut-STAR-T cells with various structures were co-cultured with Raji-luciferase cells at a 1:3 E:T ratio with counting as day 0, and then cells were collected on day 1 and day 7 for flow analysis, respectively. Among them, the medium used was 1640 complete medium without IL-2, and the initial number of TCR T cells was 1×105 Cells, samples at each time point were incubated independently, and the remaining co-incubated samples were semi-changed with the liquid the next day, and supplemented with the target cells. The cells used for flow analysis were stained with an anti-human CD3 antibody in advance, and a specified volume thereof was collected and recorded when analysis was performed on the machine, the number and proportion of T cells in the system were known by conversion. As shown in
According to the above results, it was found that the best proliferation effect was obtained by linking the costimulatory molecule OX40 to the TCR-α chain without affecting the killing effect of T cells as well. Therefore, mut-STAR with the intracellular domains of different costimulatory molecules connected in tandem to the TCR α chain. The effector to target ratio of different T cells and target cells showed that the killing effect of the intracellular domain of costimulatory molecule OX40 linked to mut-STAR was better than that of STAR with other costimulatory domain linked. At the 1:2 and 1:4 E:T ratios, the effect of mut-STAR T cells with the endodomain of costimulatory molecule OX40 connected (α-OX40) was similar to that of αβ-OX40, and was better than that of mut-STAR T cells with other costimulatory molecules connected. The results were shown in
04
.028
.87
.87
.202
.830
.909
indicates data missing or illegible when filed
9
indicates data missing or illegible when filed
9.1. In Vitro Co-Culture Method for T Cells and Target Cells
Target cells Raji-luciferase and primary T cells were suspension cells, for co-incubation, the corresponding number of cells were taken and mixed with the target cell culture medium, then centrifuged for culture. The specific steps were as follows: the primary T cells were infected with the packaged and purified WT-STAR and mut-STAR T viruses, and one day before co-culture, the infection efficiency was detected by flow cytometry, and the ratio of effector cell to target cell was determined, co-incubation was carried out usually at the ratio of 1:1 or 2:1, in addition, target cells Raji-luciferase and primary T cells were co-incubated for 7 days to observe the changes in the number of cell proliferation. The total number of T cells was calculated based on the infection efficiency, and the general usage of target cells was 1×10 5/well (96-well plate).
9.2. Stimulation of T Cells by Target Antigen
The target antigen of the present invention is generally a cell surface protein, which can be directly used for T cell activation to detect the function of T cells. positive T cells were commonly added with 1×105/well, centrifuged and activated for 24 hours, the cell suspension or culture supernatant was collected to detect the T cell function.
9.3. T Cell Killing Function Validation: Luciferase Assay
T cells were co-cultured with target cells for different times, then the cell suspension was gently blown evenly, 150 μL of cell suspension per well was taken and added to a white 96-well plate, centrifuged at 1500 rpm/min for 5 min, and the supernatant was taken and added with a cell lysate for lysing at room temperature for 15 min, then centrifuged at 4° C. at 4000 rpm/min for 15 min, then the supernatant was taken with 2 parallel wells being taken for each well, and added with a luciferase substrate (firefly luciferase assay reagent), then detected by a multifunctional microplate reader with the gain value fixing as 100 to obtain a chemiluminescence value. Cell killing calculation: killing efficiency=100%-(effector cell-target cell value per well/control cell-target cell value per well).
The detection results of T cell killing function test by the luciferase assay showed that when the costimulatory endodomain was connected to the C-terminal of CD3 δ or CD3 γ or CD3 ε or CD3 ζ chain and co-expressed on mut-STAR T, the results at the 1:1 E:T ratio of different T cells to target cells showed that all co-CD3-STAR did not exhibit a better target cell-killing effect than αβ-OX40, but compared with mut-STAR, CD3δ-OX40, CD3ζ-41BB, CD3ζ-CD28, CD3ζ-OCOS, CD3ζ-OX40 exhibited similar tumor killing effects, residual tumor survival rates thereof did not differ significantly at the 1:1 E:T ratio, as shown in
9.4 Detection of T Cell Proliferation Changes: Counting by Flow Cytometry
During T cell activation, a large number of cytokines were released to help T cells kill target cells or promote the expansion of T cells themselves, and the most obvious occurrence in T-cell proliferation was a significant change in the number of T cells. T cells were incubated with target cells for 7 days, then centrifuged, resuspended to 200 uL with PBS, and the number of positive T cells was counted by flow cytometry. Changes of T cell proliferation: Proliferation fold=number of positive T cells after 7 days/initial number of positive T cells added.
After sorting, mut-STAR-T cells with various structures were co-cultured with Raji-luciferase cells at a 1:3 E:T ratio with counting as day 0, and then cells were collected on day 1 and day 7 for flow analysis, respectively. Among them, the medium used was 1640 complete medium without IL-2, and the initial number of TCR T cells was 1×105 Cells, samples at each time point were incubated independently, and the remaining co-incubated samples were semi-changed with the liquid the next day, and supplemented with the target cells. The cells used for flow analysis were stained with an anti-human CD3 antibody in advance, and a specified volume thereof was collected and recorded when analysis was performed on the machine, the number and proportion of T cells in the system were known by conversion. As shown in
10.1. In Vitro Co-Culture Method for T Cells and Target Cells
Target cells Raji-luciferase and primary T cells were suspension cells, for co-incubation, the corresponding number of cells were taken and mixed with the target cell culture medium, then centrifuged for culture. The specific steps were as follows: the primary T cells were infected with the packaged and purified WT-STAR and mut-STAR T viruses, and one day before co-culture, the infection efficiency was detected by flow cytometry, and the ratio of effector cell to target cell was determined, and co-incubation was carried out usually at a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio, in addition, target cells Raji-luciferase and primary T cells were co-incubated for 7 days to observe the changes in the number of cell proliferation. The total number of T cells was calculated based on the infection efficiency, and the general usage of target cells was 1×105/well (96-well plate).
10.2. Stimulation of T Cells by Target Antigen
The target antigen of the present invention was generally a cell surface protein, which can be directly used for activating T cells to detect the function of T cells, in particular, the target antigen was usually added with 1×105/well positive T cells, centrifuged and activated for 24 hours to collect the cell suspension or culture supernatant for detecting T cell function.
10.3. T Cell Killing Function Validation: Luciferase Assay
T cells were co-cultured with target cells for different times, then the cell suspension was gently blown evenly, 150 μL of cell suspension per well was taken to a white 96-well plate, centrifuged at 1500 rpm/min for 5 min, and the supernatant was taken and added with a cell lysate for lysing at room temperature for 15 min, then centrifuged at 4° C. at 4000 rpm/min for 15 min, then the supernatant was taken with 2 parallel wells being taken for each well, and added with a luciferase substrate (firefly luciferase assay reagent), then detected by a multifunctional microplate reader with the gain value fixing as 100 to obtain a chemiluminescence value. Cell killing calculation: killing efficiency=100%−(effector cell-target cell value per well/control cell-target cell value per well).
The detection results of T cell killing function test by the luciferase assay showed that, the costimulatory endodomain with different lengths of G4S linker was connected to the endodomain-deleted α or β constant region, the results at the 1:1 E:T ratio of T cell to target cell showed that, when the linker was connected to the a constant region endodomain, α-del-OX40, α-OX40, α-del-G4S-OX40, α-del-(G4S) 3-OX40 and α-β-ox40 showed similar killing effect, which was superior to that of α-del-(G4S) 7-OX40 and α-del-(G4S) 10-OX40, and the longer linker, the weaker the T cell killing effect, when the linker was connected to the β constant region endodomain, β-del-OX40, β-ox40, β-del-(G4S) 3-OX40 and α-β-ox40 showed similar killing effect, and still, the longer the linker, the weaker the T cell killing effect. Connection to OX40 (α-del-OX40 or β-del-OX40) after removal of the constant region endodomain showed little difference in the effect compared with that without such removal, but after addition of the linker (the number of linker was not more than 3), the effect of α-del-(G4S) 1-3-OX40 or β-del-(G4S) 1-3-OX40 was better than that of α-del-OX40 or β-del-OX40. The comparison between the effect when the linker was connected to the α constant region endodomain and the effect when the linker was connected to the β constant region endodomain showed that, the effect when the linker was connected to the α constant region endodomain was better than that when the linker was connected to the β constant region endodomain. However, there was no significant difference in residual tumor survival rate at a 2:1 E:T ratio, as shown in
10.4. Analysis of Cytokine Secretion by T Cells: ELISA
During T cell activation, a large number of cytokines, such as TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-2, were released to help T cells kill target cells or promote the expansion of T cells themselves. After T cells were stimulated by target cells or antigens, T cells were collected, centrifuged, and the supernatant was taken. The TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-2 ELISA kits used were Human IL-2 Uncoated ELISA, Human TNF-α Uncoated ELISA, and Human IFN-γ Uncoated ELISA (Art.No. 88-7025, 88-7346, 88-7316, respectively). The specific steps were as follows: diluting 10× Coating Buffer with ddH2O to 1×, adding coated antibody (250×), mixing well and adding to a 96-well plate at 100 μL/well. After sealing with the plastic wrap and staying overnight at 4° C., 1× PBST (also called Wash Buffer, 1× PBS with 0.05% Tween 20 added) was used for washing 3 times with 260 μL/well each time, 5× ELISA/ELISPOT Diluent was diluted to 1× with ddH2O and then added to the 96-well plate with 200 μL/well, followed by standing at room temperature for 1 hour. PBST was used for washing once, and dilution was performed according to a standard curve (ranging from: 2 to 250, 4 to 500, 4 to 500, respectively), the samples were diluted to 20 to 50 times with 1×Diluent. Samples according to the standard curve were added with 100 microliters per well, two parallel wells were taken and incubated at room temperature for 2 hours, PBST was used for washing three times, then a Detection antibody diluted with 1×Diluent was added, after incubation for 1 h, PBST was used for washing three times, then HRP diluted with 1×Diluent was added, after incubation for 30 minutes, the solution was washed six times, TMB was added for color development with the color development time being less than 15 min, and 2N H2SO4 was added for termination, light absorption at 450 nm was detected.
The results of ELISA showed that, after T cells were co-incubated with target cells for 24 h, the secretions of IL-2 and IFN-γ of mut-STAR with a structure of α-del-(G4S)7-OX40 OX40 were significantly lower than those of mut-STAR, while the IL-2 secretion of other structures β-del-OX40, α-del-OX40, α-del-G4S-OX40 and α-del-(G4S) 3-OX40 each was similar to that of mut-STAR; only β-del-OX40 exhibited a similar IFN-γ secretion to that of mut-STAR, while the IFN-γ secretion of other structures exhibited a different decrease, as shown in
10.5. Detection of T Cell Differentiation Changes: Analysis by Flow Cytometry
During T cell activation, a large number of cytokines and other chemokines were released, and signals were transduced into the nucleus through cytokines or chemokine receptors to regulate the differentiation of T cells. T cells differentiate from primitive T cells (naive) to central memory T cells (Tcm) to effector memory T cells (Tem), and finally to effector T cells (Teff). However, the proliferation and persistence of T cells in vivo are affected by the number of T cells differentiated to central memory T cells (Tcm) to effector memory T cells (Tem). Memory T cells can be classified into stem cell T cells, central memory T cells and effector memory T cells. The differentiation ratio of central memory T cells affects the persistent killing effect of T cells in vivo. The ratio of primitive T cells to effector T cells affects the tumor-killing effect and persistence of T cells in vivo. The expression of CD45RA and CCR7 on the surface of T cells was detected by flow cytometry, thus the differentiation of T cells can be known. T cells were incubated with target cells for 7 days, centrifuged, stained with anti-human-CD45RA-Percp-cy5.5 and anti-human-CCR7-APC flow antibodies for 30 minutes, centrifuged again, washed with PBS and fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde solution, and the differentiation of T cells was detected by flow cytometry.
The results of flow cytometry showed that, when the G4S linker-containing costimulatory endodomain was linked to the structure with the endodomain of α or β constant region deleted, the obtained α-del-(G4S)3-OX40 showed significant differentiation of central memory T cells, while the structure with OX40 directly connected to the endodomain of α (α-del-OX40) or β (β-del-OX40) constant region also promoted differentiation of central memory T cells, as shown in
45-OX40
)3-OX40
)-OX40
)10-OX40
indicates data missing or illegible when filed
45-OX40
)3-OX40
)-OX40
)10-OX40
42
6
958
indicates data missing or illegible when filed
indicates data missing or illegible when filed
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11. Effects of TCR Endocytosis-Related Lysine Modification into Arginine in the Transmembrane Domain or Endodomain on the Function of Mutant STAR-T Cells
11.1. In Vitro Co-Culture Method for T Cells and Target Cells
Target cells Raji-luciferase and primary T cells were suspension cells, for co-incubation, the corresponding number of cells were taken and mixed with the target cell culture medium, then centrifuged for culture. The specific steps were as follows: the primary T cells were infected with the packaged and purified WT-STAR and mut-STAR T viruses, and one day before co-culture, the infection efficiency was detected by flow cytometry, and the ratio of effector cell to target cell was determined, co-incubation was carried out usually at the ratio of 1:1 or 2:1, in addition, target cells Raji-luciferase and primary T cells were co-incubated for 7 days to observe the changes in the number of cell proliferation. The total number of T cells was calculated based on the infection efficiency, and the general usage of target cells was 1×10 5/well (96-well plate).
11.2. Stimulation of T Cells by Target Antigen
The target of the present invention was generally a cell surface protein, which can be directly used for activating T cells to detect the function of T cells, in particular, the target antigen was usually added with 1×10 5/well positive T cells, centrifuged and activated for 24 hours to collect the cell suspension or culture supernatant for detecting T cell function.
11.3. T Cell Killing Function Validation: Luciferase Assay
T cells were co-cultured with target cells for different times, then the cell suspension was gently blown evenly, 150 μL of cell suspension per well was taken to a white 96-well plate, centrifuged at 1500 rpm/min for 5 min, and the supernatant was taken and added with a cell lysate for lysing at room temperature for 15 min, then centrifuged at 4° C. at 4000 rpm/min for 15 min, then the supernatant was taken with 2 parallel wells being taken for each well, and added with a luciferase substrate (firefly luciferase assay reagent), then detected by a multifunctional microplate reader with the gain value fixing as 100 to obtain a chemiluminescence value. Cell killing calculation: killing efficiency=100%−(effector cell-target cell value per well/control cell-target cell value per well).
The detection results of T cell killing function test by the luciferase assay showed that, the tumor cell-killing effect of ub-STAR, a mut-STAR with TCR endocytosis-related lysine modified into arginine in the transmembrane domain or endodomain, at the 2:1 or 1:1 E:T ratio of T cell to target cell, was significantly lower than that of mut-STAR T cells, as shown in
11.4. Analysis of Cytokine Secretion by T Cells: ELISA
During T cell activation, a large number of cytokines, such as TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-2, were released to help T cells kill target cells or promote the expansion of T cells themselves. After T cells were stimulated by target cells or antigens, T cells were collected, centrifuged, and the supernatant was taken. The IFN-γ, and IL-2 ELISA kits used were Human IL-2 Uncoated ELISA, Human IFN-γ Uncoated ELISA (Art.No. 88-7025, 88-7346, 88-7316, respectively). The specific steps were as follows: diluting 10× Coating Buffer with ddH2O to 1×, adding coated antibody (250×), mixing well and adding to a 96-well plate at 100 μL/well. After sealing with the plastic wrap and staying overnight at 4° C., 1× PBST (also called Wash Buffer, 1× PBS with 0.05% Tween 20 added) was used for washing 3 times with 260 μL/well each time, 5× ELISA/ELISPOT Diluent was diluted to 1× with ddH2O and then added to the 96-well plate with 200 μL/well, followed by standing at room temperature for 1 hour. PBST was used for washing once, and dilution was performed according to a standard curve (ranging from: 2 to 250, 4 to 500, 4 to 500, respectively), the samples were diluted to 20 to 50 times with 1×Diluent. Samples diluted according to the standard curve were added with 100 microliters per well, two parallel wells were taken and incubated at room temperature for 2 hours, PBST was used for washing three times, then a Detection antibody diluted with 1×Diluent was added, after incubation for 1 h, PBST was used for washing three times, then HRP diluted with 1×Diluent was added, after incubation for 30 minutes, the solution was washed six times, TMB was added for color development with the color development time being less than 15 min, and 2N H2SO4 was added for termination, light absorption at 450 nm was detected.
The ELISA results showed that, the IL-2 and IFN-γ secretions by ub-STAR, a mut-STAR with TCR endocytosis-related lysine modified into arginine in the transmembrane domain or endodomain, which was co-incubated with target cells at the 2:1 or 1:1 or 1:2 E:T ratio of T cell to target cell for 24 hours, were significantly lower than those of mut-STAR T cells, as shown in
11.5. Detection of T Cell Differentiation Changes: Analysis by Flow Cytometry
During T cell activation, a large number of cytokines and other chemokines were released, and signals were transduced into the nucleus through cytokines or chemokine receptors to regulate the differentiation of T cells. the proliferation and persistence of T cells in vivo were affected by the number of T cells differentiated to memory T cells. Memory T cells can be classified into stem cell T cells, central memory T cells and effector memory T cells. The expression of CD45RA and CCR7 on the surface of T cells was detected by flow cytometry, thus the differentiation of T cells can be known. T cells were incubated with target cells for 7 days, centrifuged, stained with anti-human-CD45RA-Percp-cy5.5 and anti-human-CCR7-APC flow antibodies for 30 minutes, centrifuged again, washed with PBS and fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde solution, and the differentiation of T cells was detected by flow cytometry.
The results of flow cytometry showed that, no significant difference was found in neither the differentiation of central memory T cells nor the ratio of naive T cell to effector T cell between mut-STAR and ub-STAR, a mut-STAR with TCR endocytosis-related lysine modified into arginine in the transmembrane domain or endodomain, indicating that TCR endocytosis-related lysine modification into arginine in the transmembrane domain or endodomain had no significant effect on the differentiation of mut-STAR T cells, as shown in
indicates data missing or illegible when filed
12. Effects of Mutant STAR with Different Cytokine Receptor Stimulatory Regions Connected to the a or R Constant Region Endodomain on the Function of STAR-T Cells
12.1. In Vitro Co-Culture Method for T Cells and Target Cells
Target cells Raji-luciferase and primary T cells were suspension cells, for co-incubation, the corresponding number of cells were taken and mixed with the target cell culture medium, then centrifuged for culture. The specific steps were as follows: the primary T cells were infected with the packaged and purified WT-STAR and mut-STAR T viruses, and one day before co-culture, the infection efficiency was detected by flow cytometry, and the ratio of effector cell to target cell was determined, co-incubation was carried out usually at the ratio of 1:1 or 2:1, in addition, target cells Raji-luciferase and primary T cells were co-incubated for 7 days to observe the changes in the number of cell proliferation. The total number of T cells was calculated based on the infection efficiency, and the general usage of target cells was 1×10 5/well (96-well plate).
12.2. Stimulation of T Cells by Target Antigen
The target of the present invention was generally a cell surface protein, which can be directly used for activating T cells to detect the function of T cells, in particular, the target antigen was usually added with 1×10 5/well positive T cells, centrifuged and activated for 24 hours to collect the cell suspension or culture supernatant for detecting T cell function.
12.3. T Cell Killing Function Validation: Luciferase Assay
T cells were co-cultured with target cells for different times, then the cell suspension was gently blown evenly, 150 μL of cell suspension per well was taken and added to a white 96-well plate, centrifuged at 1500 rpm/min for 5 min, and the supernatant was taken and added with a cell lysate for lysing at room temperature for 15 min, then centrifuged at 4° C. at 4000 rpm/min for 15 min, then the supernatant was taken with 2 parallel wells being taken for each well, and added with a luciferase substrate (firefly luciferase assay reagent), then detected by a multifunctional microplate reader with the gain value fixing as 100 to obtain a chemiluminescence value. Cell killing calculation: killing efficiency=100%−(effector cell-target cell value per well/control cell-target cell value per well).
The detection results of T cell killing function test by the luciferase assay showed that, when different cytokine receptor stimulatory regions were connected to the α or β region endodomain of a mutant STAR, at the 2:1 E:T ratio of T cell to target cell, β-IL-2Rb, α-IL-2Rb, α-IL-7RA, α-IL21R all exhibited a killing effect similar to that of mut-STAR, while β-IL2RbQ, α-IL2RbQ and α-IL7RAQ exhibited a tumor-killing effect significantly lower than that of mut-STAR, as shown in
12.4. Analysis of Cytokine Secretion by T Cells: ELISA
During T cell activation, a large number of cytokines, such as TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-2, were released to help T cells kill target cells or promote the expansion of T cells themselves. After T cells were stimulated by target cells or antigens, T cells were collected, centrifuged, and the supernatant was taken. The IFN-γ, and IL-2 ELISA kits used were Human IL-2 Uncoated ELISA, Human IFN-γ Uncoated ELISA (Art.No. 88-7025, 88-7346, 88-7316, respectively). The specific steps were as follows: diluting 10× Coating Buffer with ddH2O to 1×, adding coated antibody (250×), mixing well and adding to a 96-well plate at 100 μL/well. After sealing with the plastic wrap and staying overnight at 4° C., 1× PBST (also called Wash Buffer, 1× PBS with 0.05% Tween 20 added) was used for washing 3 times with 260 μL/well each time, 5× ELISA/ELISPOT Diluent was diluted to 1× with ddH2O and then added to the 96-well plate with 200 μL/well, followed by standing at room temperature for 1 hour. PBST was used for washing once, and dilution was performed according to a standard curve (ranging from: 2 to 250, 4 to 500, 4 to 500, respectively), the samples were diluted to 20 to 50 times with 1×Diluent. Samples diluted according to the standard curve were added with 100 microliters per well, two parallel wells were taken and incubated at room temperature for 2 hours, PBST was used for washing three times, then a Detection antibody diluted with 1×Diluent was added, after incubation for 1 h, PBST was used for washing three times, then HRP diluted with 1×Diluent was added, after incubation for 30 minutes, the solution was washed six times, TMB was added for color development with the color development time being less than 15 min, and 2N H2SO4 was added for termination, light absorption at 450 nm was detected.
The ELISA results showed that when T cells were incubated with target cells for 24 hours, at a 1:1 or 1:2 E:T ratio, the IL-2 secretion of β-IL-2Rb was significantly higher than that of mut-STAR, while α-IL-2Rb, β-IL-2RbQ and α-IL-7RAQ exhibited similar IL-2 secretion, however, the IL-2 secretion of α-IL-2RbQ was significantly lower than that of mut-STAR, as shown in
12.5. Detection of T Cell Differentiation Changes: Analysis by Flow Cytometry
During T cell activation, a large number of cytokines and other chemokines were released, and signals were transduced into the nucleus through cytokines or chemokine receptors to regulate the differentiation of T cells. the proliferation and persistence of T cells in vivo were affected by the number of T cells differentiated to memory T cells. Memory T cells can be classified into stem cell T cells, central memory T cells and effector memory T cells. The expression of CD45RA and CCR7 on the surface of T cells was detected by flow cytometry, thus the differentiation of T cells can be known. T cells were incubated with target cells for 7 days, centrifuged, stained with anti-human-CD45RA-Percp-cy5.5 and anti-human-CCR7-APC flow antibodies for 30 minutes, centrifuged again, washed with PBS and fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde solution, and the differentiation of T cells was detected by flow cytometry.
Mutant STARs with different cytokine receptor stimulatory regions linked to the α or β constant region endodomain showed various differences in the differentiation of central memory T cells and the ratio of naive T cell to effector T cell, wherein, α-IL-2Rb, β-IL-2Rb, α-IL-2RbQ, β-IL-2RbQ showed no significant difference as compared with mut-STAR, while α-IL-7RA, α-IL-7RAQ and α-IL-21R showed no significant difference as compared with mut-STAR, as shown in
indicates data missing or illegible when filed
indicates data missing or illegible when filed
64.5448
indicates data missing or illegible when filed
1) Experimental Animal Model
In this experiment, an NSG immunodeficient mouse was used as a model. The mouse genotype was NOD-Prkdcem26II2rgem26/Nju with lack of T cells, B cells and NK cells, and macrophages and dendritic cells thereof were also deficient. The NSG mouse was the most completely immunodeficient mouse strain at present, which can be widely used in preclinical research of T cell therapy due to that it will not reject transplanted tumors and T cells. In this experiment, female NSG mice aged 6˜8 weeks were used, and the weight difference of mice in each batch was controlled within 2 g. Mice were kept in independent ventilated cages within a specific pathogen free (SPF) barrier, and provided with normal diet and drinking water with pH slightly acidic to prevent pathogen contamination.
2) Construct of Tumor Model
In constructing a hematological tumor model, human Burkitt's lymphoma cell line Raji cells were used for xenotransplantation. Raji cells were cell strains expressing luciferase gene by the lentiviral vector, and the development and changes of Raji tumor were monitored in real time by fluorescein chemiluminescence and in vivo imaging in mice. In this model, different doses (generally about 1 to 3×106 cells) of Raji-luciferase cells were mixed with matrix gel and inoculated into female NSG mice aged 6 to 8 weeks by intraperitoneal injection. Three days later, mice were intraperitoneally injected with the fluorescein potassium salt solution, and the fluorescence signals of tumor cells in vivo were detected by in vivo imaging. Raji cells grew rapidly in mice, which produced solid tumors in abdominal cavity, causing symptoms such as weight loss in mice; in the absence of therapeutic treatment, Raji tumor burdens led to death in mouse in about 40 days.
3) Animal Experiment Operation
All animal operations were carried out after the approval of the Animal protocol.
4) Means for Monitoring Tumor Growth
In this experiment, in vivo fluorescence imaging was basically used by: injecting tumor cells with luciferase gene into animals for colonization. Mice were intraperitoneally injected with the fluorescein potassium salt solution, which, as a substrate, emitted light with a specific wavelength in the presence of enzyme, and the fluorescence signals of tumor cells in vivo were detected by in vivo imaging. Quantitative analysis of fluorescence signals was performed and a heat map was drawn to quantitatively reflect tumor growth.
5) Method for Detecting T Cell Activity and Amplification in Animals
The survival and expansion of T cells in vivo are directly related to their final anti-tumor effect. In order to detect the activity and proliferation of T cells in animals, blood samples were collected from mice regularly, and the proportion, cell state and cell grouping of STAR-T cells in peripheral blood were analyzed. The specific operation was as follows: every 3-4 days, mice were anesthetized with isoflurane, and about 100 uL of blood was collected from the mouse orbit. The blood sample underwent anticoagulation, plasma collection and erythrocyte cleavage, then the remaining cells were subject to flow staining to detect the ratio of CD4 to CD8 and the molecules, such as CCR7, CD45RA, PD-1, LAG-3 and TIM-3, which were used for T cell subset analysis and cell state analysis. At the same time, the absolute number of STAR-T cells in peripheral blood of mice was obtained by flow cytometry or digital PCR. In addition, at the end of the experiment, mice can be dissected to detect the proportion of T cells in other immune organs of mice.
6) Method for Evaluating T Cell Safety in Animals
In order to evaluate the toxicity and safety of STAR-T cells, whether side effects have been caused by the STAR-T cells on experimental animals was examined. By observing the behavior state of mice, analyzing the pathology of mice, and analyzing the sections taken from important organs of mice, whether the reinfused T cells have significant toxicity could be evaluated. At the same time, by analyzing the infiltration of T cells in non-tumor tissues of mice, whether T cells have off-target killing effect on non-tumor tissues of mice can be determined. In addition, by detecting the level of cytokines, such as IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF α or IL-6 in the mouse blood, whether T cells may cause systematic cytokine storm can be determined.
7) Method for Evaluating T Cell Tumor Infiltration Ability
The ability of T cells to infiltrate tumors is the core ability thereof to challenge solid tumors. In order to detect the infiltration ability of T cells, tumor tissues can be separated firstly, followed by digestion and grinding to obtain single cells, which were subject to flow staining to detect the proportion of T cells in tumor tissues. At the same time, tumor cells, tumor stromal cells and immune cells in the tumor suspension can be further separated by density gradient centrifugation (such as Percoll gradient, Ficoll gradient, etc.), so as to obtain purified tumor-infiltrating T cells, and the characteristics thereof, such as chemokine receptor expression, T cell depletion and so on, can be analyzed in detail by sequencing and other methods.
8) Results
According to the results of the above in vitro function, 5×10 5 Raji-luciferase tumor cells were inoculated into NCG female mice aged 6-8 weeks via tail vein, to construct a mouse tumor model (
According to the above results of the in vitro function, 2×106 Raji-luciferase tumor cells were inoculated intraperitoneally into NCG female mice aged 6-8 weeks, to construct a mouse tumor model (
1. Design of T Cell Receptor and Mutant Thereof with Constant Region Mutation
After being transferred into T cells, exogenous TCR molecules may mismatch with the endogenous TCR of T cells to form a mismatch, which, on one hand, may reduce the efficiency of correct pairing of TCR molecules and weaken the function of TCR T cells; on the other hand, may lead to potential off-target toxicity and increase the risk of treatment. In order to solve this problem, according to the present invention, the constant region of the wild-type αβ TCR sequence (wtTCR, left one in
1.1. Design of cysTCR with Intermolecular Disulfide Bond Introduced in the Constant Region
Threonine (Thr) at position 48 in the TCR α chain constant region was mutated to cysteine (Cys), and serine (Ser) at position 56 in the TCR β chain constant region was mutated to cysteine (Cys) by the inventors. The two new added cysteines would form a disulfide bond between the two chains of the exogenous TCR (cysTCR, left two in
1.2. Design of Murine hmTCR
The constant region sequences of TCR α chain and β chain are highly conserved in different species such as humans and mice. Studies have shown that the murine TCR constant region is less susceptible to form a mismatch with the humanized TCR constant region, and the murine constant region has a higher affinity with a human CD3 molecule, which can form a more stable complex in human T cells and greatly improve the function of TCR T cells. Therefore, the constant region sequence of humanized TCR was replaced by the constant region sequence of murine TCR to construct a TCR molecule with a murine constant region, i.e., hmTCR (right two in
1.3. Design of Murine Mut-ohmTCR with Transmembrane Hydrophobic Amino Acid Substitution and Additional Intermolecular Disulfide Bond
In order to further optimize the design of TCR molecule, the murine constant region designed for hmTCR was codon humanized to adapt to the expression of TCR molecules in human T cells. At the same time, Threonine (Thr) at position 48 in the murine TCR α chain constant region was mutated to cysteine (Cys), and serine (Ser) at position 56 in the TCR β chain constant region was mutated to cysteine (Cys), so as to form an additional intermolecular disulfide bond to help the TCR molecule form a more stable complex. In addition, the research showed that, the amino acid region from 111 to 119 in the TCR α chain transmembrane region was changed from LSVMGLRIL to LLVIVLRIL, that is, serine (Ser) at position 112 was mutated to leucine (Leu), methionine (Met) at position 114 was mutated to isoleucine (Ile), and glycine (Gly) at position 115 was mutated to valine (Val), which can increase the hydrophobicity of the transmembrane region, offset the instability caused by positive charges carried by the TCR transmembrane region, and make TCR molecules more stable on the cell membrane, thus obtaining better functions. Therefore, the mut-ohmTCR structure was designed by combining these three ideas (right one, in
2. Design of TCR-CD3 Molecule Comprising a Costimulatory Molecule Receptor Endodomain
In order to improve the proliferation ability in vivo, the effect survival time and the ability to infiltrate into the tumor microenvironment to kill the target cells efficiently, of TCR T cells, a new structure was designed by modifying the TCR-CD3 complex by the present inventors, thereby enabling tailored enhanced TCR-CD3 cell as needed, so as to improve the clinical response of TCR-T to achieve a lasting curative effect.
2.1. Design of TCR Molecules (Armored-TCR) Comprising a Costimulatory Molecule Receptor Endodomain
TCR was a special marker of all T cell surfaces, which was divided into αβTCR and γδ TCR, which had the corresponding T cells: αβ T cells and γδ T cells. αβ TCR and γδ TCR were modified with costimulatory signals, respectively, by the inventors, to improve the performance of αβ T cells and γδ T cells, respectively.
TCR of αβ T cells consisted of TCR α and TCR β chains, accounting for 90%-95% of the total T cells. αβ TCR consisted of a variable region and a constant region, in which the variable region had a wide diversity and played the role of antigen recognition and binding, while the constant region domain played the role of structural interaction and signal transduction. In order to enhance the toxicity and proliferation persistence of T cells, according to the present invention, an endodomain sequence of a humanized costimulatory molecule receptor was introduced to the C-terminal of the αβ TCR constant region (left,
TCR of γδ T cells consisted of TCR γ and TCR δ chains, γδ T cells can be divided into three subgroups: γδ1, γδ2 and γδ3 based on the type of TCR δ chain, with different subgroups having different distribution in human bodies. γδ T cells recognized a non-peptide antigen in an MHC-restricted way, which played an important role in the surveillance of pathogens and tumors. Experiments showed that, CD28/4-1BB and similar costimulatory signals played an important role in the activation and proliferation of γδ T cells. The endodomain sequence of a human costimulatory molecule receptor was introduced to the C terminal of TCR γ and TCR δ, respectively (right,
A CD3 subunit included γ chain, δ chain, ε chain and chain, and formed a T cell receptor complex with a TCR molecule, which transmitted signals from the ectodomain to endodomain, so as to regulate the state of cells and response to stimuli. In order to design enhanced TCR T cells and improve the tumor killing ability, proliferation ability and survival time of T cells in vivo, a CD3 molecule was modified by the inventors by introducing a human costimulatory molecule receptor endodomain to the C terminal of CD3 γ chain, δ chain, ε chain and ζ chain (
3.1 Plasmid Source
The vectors used in the present invention, including lentivirus vectors, retrovirus vectors, protein expression vectors, phagocytes, lentivirus packaging plasmid, retrovirus packaging plasmid, etc., were purchased from or synthesized by commercial companies, and the full-length sequences of these vectors were obtained, and the specific cleavage sites were known.
3.2. Fragment Sources
The TCR mentioned in the present invention may be any functional TCR, including TCR-E 141, TCR-E 315, TCR-E 316 as used in the present invention. The gene fragments used in the present invention included the variable region of TCR-E141/TCR-E315/TCR-E316, wtTCR constant region, cysTCR constant region, hmTCR constant region, mut-ohmTCR constant region, costimulatory receptor endodomain, tag sequence and linker, etc., all of which were synthesized from commercial companies. One or more target fragments were connected by PCR with synthesizing primers to obtain corresponding functional sequences.
3.3 Plasmid Construction
The lentiviral vector used herein was pHAGE-EF1 α-IRES-RFP, wherein the linear vector was obtained by a restriction enzyme Not I/Nhe I, the gene fragment was obtained by synthesis and PCR, and the complete vector was obtained by homologous recombination.
4.1 Lentivirus Packaging
The aseptically extracted target gene plasmid and packaging plasmids psPAX2 and pMD2.G in a certain proportion were mixed with PEI (Polyethylenimine, PEI) to transfect Lenti-X 293T cells, the cell culture supernatant was collected at 48 hour and 72 hour, which was then filtered and mixed with PEG8000 (Polyethylene glycol, PEG), followed by standing overnight at 4° C., centrifuged at 3500 rpm for 30 min, after discarding the supernatant, then resuspended with a small volume of medium to obtain concentrated lentivirus.
4.2 Isolation, Culture, and Lentivirus Infection of Human Primary T Cells
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from peripheral blood of volunteers with Ficoll, a solution used for separation lymphocytes, then T cells were obtained from PBMC by negative selection according to the product instruction of EasySep Human T cell isolation kit (stem cell technologies), which were resuspended to 1×10 6 cells/mL with 1640 complete medium containing IL-2 (100U/mL), and then activated in a culture dish coated with the anti-CD3/CD28 antibody. After 48 hours of activation, T cells were infected with viral particles loaded with TCR or/and CD3 using a lentiviral system by centrifugation at 1500 rpm for 2 hours at 32° C., and then taken out and incubated in a 37° C. cell culture incubator for 10 hours, then the infection was terminated by addition of medium and the cells were continuously cultured in a 37° C. cell culture incubator. TCR-positive cells were sorted by flow cytometry three days after infection.
4.3 Construction of Target Cell Lines
Raji cells in the logarithmic growth phase were infected with viral particles loaded with LMP2-RFP, HLA-A*1101-BSD and Luciferase-GFP, respectively, using a lentiviral system. By drug screening and flow sorting, a Raji cell stably expressing LMP2, HLA-A*1101 molecules and Luciferase simultaneously was obtained, which was denominated as Raji-HLA-A*1101-LMP2-luciferase cell.
5. Effects of Costimulatory Signals on the Function of TCR T Cell with Different Constant Regions
In order to investigate whether a costimulatory signal can improve the proliferation in vivo and enhance the tumor killing effect of TCR T cells, OX40, CD40 and ICOS endodomain were added to the C-terminals of TCR α chain and β chain (wtE141, cysE141, hmE141, mut-ohmE141) with four different constant domains, respectively), thus plasmids wtE141-αβ-OX40, cysE141-αβ-OX40, hmE141-αβ-OX40, mut-ohmE141-αβ-CD40, cysE141-αβ-CD40, hmE141-αβ-CD40, mut-ohmE141-αβ-CD40, wtE141-αβ-ICOS, cysE141-αβ-ICOS, hmE141-αβ-ICOS, mut-ohmE141-αβ-ICOS and mut-ohmE141-αβ-ICOS were constructed. In addition, plasmids were also constructed by adding OX40, CD40 or ICOS to the C-terminal of α and β chains of TCR-E315 and TCR-E316 with different constant regions. The virus was packaged with the second-generation packaging plasmid, which was then used for infecting the primary T cells and sorting for the positive cells. The sorted TCR T cells were co-cultured with Raji-HLA-A*1101-LMP2-luciferase cells according to the scheme in section 5, with counting as day 0, and then cells were collected on day 1, day 3, day 5, day 7 and day 10, respectively, for flow analysis. Among them, the medium used was 1640 complete medium without IL-2, and the initial number of TCR T cells was 1×105 Cells, samples at each time point were incubated independently, and the remaining co-incubated samples were semi-changed with the liquid the next day, and supplemented with the target cells. The cells used for flow analysis were stained with an anti-human CD3 antibody in advance, and a specified volume thereof was collected and recorded when analysis was performed on the machine, the number and proportion of T cells in the system were obtained by conversion (
In order to compare the performance of TCR T cells modified by different costimulatory signals, the endodomains of 4-1BB, CD28, ICOS, OX40, OX40, CD27 and CD40 molecules were added to the C terminal of mut-ohmE141 TCR constant region, respectively, then the constructed mut-ohmE141-αβ-4-1BB, mut-ohmE141-αβ-CD28, mut-ohmE141-αβ-ICOS, mut-ohmE141-αβ-OX40, mut-ohmE141-αβ-CD27, mut-ohmE141-αβ-CD27, mut-ohmE141-αβ-CD40 TCR T cells were co-cultured with Raji-HLA-A*1101-LMP2-luciferase cells according to the co-culture scheme in section 5, and the number and proportion of T cells in the system were analyzed by flow cytometry. It can be seen from the results of proliferation curve and E:T ratio of absolute number of T cells (
(G4S)n linker was widely used in protein engineering, which can endow fusion molecules with better flexibility to improve the function thereof. In order to further improve the function of TCR molecule integrating the costimulatory receptor endodomain, effects of (G4S)n linker on the function of the fusion protein armored-TCR molecules were studied. mut-ohmE141-αβ-G4S—OX40 and mut-ohmE141-αβ-(G4S)3-OX40 plasmids were constructed by introducing one or three G4S linkers between the costimulatory receptor domain and the C-terminal of mut-ohmE141 TCR molecule, in addition, mut-ohmE141-αβ-delC-G4S—OX40 and mut-ohmE141-αβ-delC-(G4S)3—OX40 plasmids were also designed by deleting the endodomain at the C-terminal of the mut-ohmTCR αβ constant region and then connecting to the costimulatory receptor domain via one or three G4S linkers. Likewise, the linker was introduced to mut-ohmE141-αβ-CD40, mut-ohmE141-αβ-ICOS, as well as TCR-E315 and TCR-E316 with OX40, CD40 and ICOS modifications, and the corresponding plasmids were constructed. After transfection of Lenti-X 293T with the second-generation packaging plasmid, the virus was obtained, which was used to infect primary T cells, and the positive cells were sorted. The sorted TCR T cells were co-cultured with Raji-HLA-A*1101-LMP2-luciferase cells according to the scheme in section 5, with counting as day 0, and then cells were collected on day 1, day 3, day 5, day 7 and day 10, respectively, for flow analysis. It can be seen from the results of proliferation curve and E:T ratio of absolute number of T cells (
To investigate the effects of connection of costimulatory domains to different TCR chains on the T cell function, the endodomain of 4-1BB and OX40 were added to the C-terminal of TCR α chain, or TCR β chain or both TCR α and β chains to construct plasmids as follows: mut-ohmE141-α-4-1BB, mut-ohmE141-β-4-1BB, mut-ohmE141-αβ-4-1BB, mut-ohmE141-α-OX40, mut-ohmE141-β-ox40, and mut-ohmE141-αβ-ox 40. Likewise, plasmids with OX40 or 4-1BB endodomain added to different chains of TCR-E315 and TCR-E316 were also constructed. The virus was packaged with the second-generation packaging plasmid, which was then used for infecting the primary T cells. The TCR-positive T cells were co-cultured with Raji-HLA-A*1101-LMP2-luciferase cells according to the scheme in section 5, with counting as day 0, and then cells were collected on day 1, day 3, day 5, day 7 and day 10, respectively, for flow analysis. As seen from the results of proliferation curve and E:T ratio of absolute number of T cells (
In order to further improve the function of armored-TCR T cells integrating the costimulatory receptor endodomain, combining the results of subsections 6, 7 and 8, the effects on the function of armored-TCR T cells by connecting the costimulatory receptor endodomain directly to the C-terminal of TCR α chain or to the C-terminal of TCR α chain after removing intracellular amino acids were studied. Plasmids: wtE141-α-OX40, wtE141-α-G4S—OX40, wtE141-α-delC-G4S—OX40, wtE141-αβ-delC-G4S—OX40, hmE141-α-OX40, hmE141-α-G4S —OX40, hmE141-α-delC-G4S—OX40, hmE141-αβ-delC-G4S—OX40, cysE141-α-OX40, cysE141-α-G4S—OX40, cysE141-α-delC-G4S—OX40, cysE141-αβ-delC-G4S—OX40, mut-ohmE141-α-OX40, mut-ohmE141-α-G4S—OX40, mut-ohmE141-α-delC-G4S—OX40 and mut-ohmE141-αβ-delC-G4S—OX40 were constructed. Plasmids: TCR-E141 with CD40 and ICOS added, and TCR-E315, TCR-E316 with OX40, CD40, and ICOS added, were also constructed. The virus was packaged with the second-generation packaging plasmid, which was then used for infecting the primary T cells. The TCR-positive T cells were co-cultured with Raji-HLA-A*1101-LMP2-luciferase cells according to the scheme in section 5, with counting as day 0, and then cells were collected on day 1, day 3, day 5, day 7 and day 10, respectively, for flow analysis. The results (
To validate the proliferation and anti-tumor effects of TCR T cells containing a costimulatory domain in vivo, 4×105 Raji-HLA-A*1101-LMP2-luciferase tumor cells were inoculated by tail vein to NOD/Scid IL-2R γ null (NCG) female mice aged 5 to 6 weeks to construct a mouse tumor model (see
(1) Evaluation of Function In Vitro
In order to compare the effects of introducing a human costimulatory receptor endodomain to the C-terminal of different CD3 subunits including δ chain, ε chain, γ chain and ζ chain on the function of TCR T cells, according to the present invention, the CD3 molecule was modified to construct the following plasmids: CD3δ-4-1BB, CD3δ-CD28, CD3δ-ICOS, CD3δ-OX40, CD3ε-4-1BB, CD3ε-CD28, CD3ε-ICOS, CD3ε-OX40, CD3γ-4-1BB, CD3γ-CD28, CD3γ-ICOS, CD3γ-OX40, CD3ζ-4-1BB, CD3ζ-CD28, CD3ζ-ICOS, and CD3ζ-OX40, wherein CD3 was connected to the costimulatory receptor domains via a (G4S) 3 linker. The modified armored-CD3 molecules and cysE141 TCR molecules were simultaneously expressed in T cells, then double positive cells obtained by flow sorting were co-cultured with Raji-HLA-A*1101-LMP2-luciferase according to section 5, to evaluate the function of TCR T cells. As seen from the results of T cell proliferation curve in vivo and E:T ratio shown in
(2) Evaluation of Function In Vivo
According to the results of the above in vitro function, 4×105 Raji-HLA-A*1101-LMP2-luciferase tumor cells were inoculated into NCG female mice aged 5-6 weeks by tail vein, to construct a mouse tumor model (
In order to investigate whether costimulatory molecules affect the function of γδ TCR T cells, the endodomain sequence of a human costimulatory molecule was introduced to the C-terminal of TCR γ chain, TCR δ chain, both TCR γ chain and TCR δ chain constant regions, respectively. In order to further improve the function of γδ TCR T cells integrating the costimulatory receptor endodomain, the costimulatory receptor domain was connected directly via a G4S linker to the C-terminal of TCR γ chain and δ chain with or without intracellular amino acids thereof removed, to construct plasmids as follows: TCR-G115-γ-OX40, TCR-G115-δ-OX40, TCR-G115-γδ-OX40, TCR-G115-γδ-G4S—OX40, TCR-G115-γδ-delC-G4S—OX40. The virus was packaged with the second-generation packaging plasmid, which was then used for infecting the primary T cells and sorting for the positive cells. The sorted γδ TCR T cells were used as effector cells, with human Daudi cells (Burkitt's lymphoma) as target cells. Co-culture was carried out for 24 hours at a 5:1 E:T ratio, with 1640 complete medium without IL2 serving as the medium. Operation was performed according to the instructions of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release method (Promega). The cell killing rate was calculated as follows: the cell killing rate (%)=[(Aexperimental cell−Aeffector cell spontaneous release well−Atarget cell spontaneous well)/(Atarget cell spontaneous maximum release well−Atarget cell spontaneous well)]×100%. In addition, the supernatant after 24 hours of co-culture was collected and operated according to the instructions of ELISA kit (Invitrogen), and the IFN-γ level in the supernatant was detected. The results (
In this example, hSTAR referred to STAR comprising a human TCR constant region. hmct STAR referred to a STAR comprising a constant region with cysteine substitution and transmembrane domain modification as shown in Example 1, wherein the murine TCR α chain constant region was hmct STAR TCR α (SEQ ID NO: 41), and the murine TCR β chain constant region was hmct STAR TCRb (SEQ ID NO: 6), with the specific structures shown in
In order to further optimize the design of STAR molecule, on the basis of constant region murinization, cysteine site mutation and hydrophobic amino acid mutation in the α chain constant region, the N-terminal of constant region of the STAR molecule was specifically rearranged to obtain better results. Rearrangement meant that some sequences were deleted, meanwhile humanized mutation of some sequences were performed. The significance of humanized mutation lied in reducing the non-human sequence in a STAR molecule as far as possible while ensuring the function of the STAR molecule, so as to avoid the possibility of STAR-T cells being rejected by receptors in clinical application to the greatest extent.
The schedule of 18 amino acid rearrangements (the murine sequence was DIQNPEPAVYQLKDPRSQ) at the N-terminal of TCR α chain constant region was analyzed based on the amino acid properties, which was found that E6D, K13R, R16K and Q185 in the murine and humanized sequences belonged to homologous amino acid substitution, while PISS substitution belonged to the non-polar amino acid to polar amino acid substitution, therefore, it could be considered that the proteins near this site were not conservative in nature, and could be modified without affecting its function. To sum up, the amino acid sequences at positions 1 to 14 were retained and humanized, and amino acids at positions 15 to 18 were deleted.
The schedule of 25 amino acid rearrangements (the murine sequence was DLRNVTPPKVSLFEPSKAEIANKQK) at the N-terminal of TCR β chain constant region was analyzed based on the amino acid properties, which was found that only R3K and L 12V in the murine and humanized sequences were homologous amino acid substitutions, T6F, K9E, S 11A, K17E, A21S, N22H and K23T were heterogeneous amino acid substitutions, therefore, it could be considered that the proteins near these sites were not conservative in nature, and could be modified without affecting its function. To sum up, the amino acid sequences at positions 1 to 16 were retained and humanized, and amino acids at positions 17 and 21 to 25 were deleted.
After N-terminal arrangement, the obtained TCR α chain constant region was Nrec STAR TCRα (SEQ ID NO: 42), and the obtained TCR β chain constant region was Nrec STAR TCRb (SEQ ID NO: 43), with the specific structures shown in
1) Combination of Different Optimization Methods of STAR
In order to validate the effects of costimulatory factors on different STAR functions, an original unoptimized STAR structure (human TCR α/(3 STAR, hSTAR), hmct STAR based on hSTAR with C-region murinization, cystine modification and transmembrane modification, and Nrec STAR based on hmct STAR with N-terminal modification were selected.
2) Design of STAR Structure Comprising Costimulatory Factors
In order to enhance the toxicity of STAR-T cells and T cell proliferation persistence, according to the present invention, an endodomain sequence of a humanized costimulatory receptor was introduced to the C-terminal of the STAR constant region (
1) Determination of CD19-Targeting Antibody Sequence
The published scFv sequence FMC63 was selected as GPC3-targeting antibody heavy chain variable region (anti-GPC3 GC33 VH, SEQ ID NO: 53) and antibody light chain variable region ((anti-GPC3 GC33-VL, SEQ ID NO: 52).
2) Construction of CD19-Targeting STAR and Vector Comprising Costimulatory Factors
STAR comprised two polypeptide chains: a first polypeptide chain, which was formed by fusing anti-GPC3 FMC63-VL with the TCR bC chain of hSTAR/hmct STAR/Nrec STAR, respectively, and a second polypeptide chain, which was formed by fusing anti-GPC3 GC33 VH with the TCR aC chain of hSTAR/hmct STAR/Nrec STAR, respectively. GM-CSF signal peptide was used in both chains. The two chain sequences of hSTAR/hmct STAR/Nrec STAR were connected by the polypeptide fragment of Furin-SGSG-p2A protease cleavage site, and transcribed and translated into a protein together, then cleaved by the proteases corresponding to furin and p2A, finally producing two independent protein chains. The whole gene was inserted into a lentivirus expression vector pHAGE through restriction endonuclease sites NheI and NotI. The vector was carried with ambicin resistance gene, EF 1 α promoter and IRES-RFP fluorescent reporter gene. The following plasmids were obtained by cloning, assembling, transforming, sequencing and plasmid extraction of gene fragments: GC33-hSTAR, GC33-hmct STAR, and GC33-Nrec STAR.
Construction of STAR vector comprising costimulatory factors: on the basis of three GPC3-targeting STAR vectors: GC33-hSTAR, GC33-hmct STAR and GC33-Nrec STAR, comprising costimulatory factors CD40, OX40, ICOS, CD28, 41BB and CD27 were constructed thereon, and the above sequences were obtained by gene synthesis. The costimulatory factors were added to GC33-hSTAR, GC33-hmct STAR and GC33-Nrec STAR vectors by PCR and homologous recombination by adding the same costimulatory factor to TCR α and β chains at the same time. GC33-hSTAR-CD40, GC33-hSTAR-OX40, GC33-hSTAR-ICOS, GC33-hSTAR-CD28, GC33-hSTAR-41BB, GC33-hSTAR-CD27, GC33-hmct STAR-CD40, GC33-hmct STAR-OX40, GC33-hmct STAR-ICOS, GC33-hmct STAR-CD28, GC33-hmct STAR-41BB, GC33-hmct STAR-CD27, GC33-Nrec STAR-CD40, GC33-Nrec STAR-OX40, GC33-Nrec STAR-ICOS, GC33-Nrec STAR-CD28, GC33-Nrec STAR-41BB and GC33-Nrec STAR-CD27 were finally constructed.
Uninfected T cells (NC group), and T cells expressing GC33-hSTAR, GC33-hmct STAR, GC33-Nrec STAR GC33-hSTAR-CD40, GC33-hSTAR-OX40, GC33-hSTAR-ICOS, GC33-hSTAR-CD28, GC33-hSTAR-41BB, GC33-hSTAR-CD27, GC33-hmct STAR-CD40, GC33-hmct STAR-OX40, GC33-hmct STAR-ICOS, GC33-hmct STAR-CD28, GC33-hmct STAR-41BB, GC33-hmct STAR-CD27, GC33-Nrec STAR-CD40, GC33-Nrec STAR-OX40, GC33-Nrec STAR-ICOS, GC33-Nrec STAR-CD28, GC33-Nrec STAR-41BB and GC33-Nrec STAR-CD27 were co-cultured with HUH-7-luc cells for 24 h in a 24-well plate. The positive number of T cells was adjusted according to RFP positive rate to 4E5 each, and the number of RAJI-luc cells was 4E5, with a total of 1 mL co-culture system. After co-culture for 24 h, the cells were centrifuged at 1500 rpm and room temperature for 5 min, after discarding the supernatant gently, added with 400 microliters of protein lysate at room temperature for lysis under shaking for 10 min, then transferred to an EP tube, centrifuged at 12000 rpm at 4° C. for 10 min, 2 multiple wells were taken for each sample, with 20 microliters per well, and added to a white 96-well plate, 50 μL luciferase substrate was added to detect a fluorescence value by a multifunctional microplate reader, and calculate the killing of target cells in each group. The results showed that the killing efficiency of hSTAR was significantly lower than that of hmct STAR and Nrec STAR, among them, Nrec STAR was the highest. The results of the same STAR comprising costimulatory factors showed that OX40 and ICOS could significantly increase the killing effect of STAR, while other costimulatory factors had no significant effect on the killing ability of STAR, 41BB reduced the killing function of STAR, however, without significant difference (
The obtained following viruses: GC33-hSTAR, GC33-hmct STAR, GC33-Nrec STAR, GC33-hSTAR-CD40, GC33-hSTAR-OX40, GC33-hSTAR-ICOS, GC33-hSTAR-CD28, GC33-hSTAR-41BB, GC33-hSTAR-CD27, GC33-hmct STAR-CD40, GC33-hmct STAR-OX40, GC33-hmct STAR-ICOS, GC33-hmct STAR-CD28, GC33-hmct STAR-41BB, GC33-hmct STAR-CD27, FMC63-Nrec STAR-CD40, FMC63-Nrec STAR-OX40, FMC63-Nrec STAR-ICOS, FMC63-Nrec STAR-CD28, FMC63-Nrec STAR-41BB and FMC63-Nrec STAR-CD27 were infected with Jurkat cells at a titer of MOI=1, after 4 days of infection, T cell lines were co-cultured with HUH-7-luc cell line in a 12-well plate, in which the STAR-T cell was 4E6 and the target cell was 2E5 (target cells were inoculated to 12-well plate one day in advance), after co-culture for 6 hours, the cells were collected for extraction of nuclear proteins, which were detected by western blotting for the nuclear RelB level. The results showed that, the nuclear RelB level was very low in GC33-hSTAR, GC33-hmct STAR and GC33-Nrec STAR groups without costimulatory factors, which was consistent with uninfected STAR-T group, after adding costimulatory factors, other costimulatory factors except CD28 significantly increased the nuclear RelB level, among which, 41BB improved the nuclear RelB level most, as shown in
1) Determination of CD19-Targeting Antibody Sequence
The published scFv sequence FMC63 was selected as CD19-targeting antibody heavy chain variable region (anti-CD19 FMC63-VH, SEQ ID NO: 50) and antibody light chain variable region (anti-CD19 FMC63-VL, SEQ ID NO: 51).
2) Construction of CD19-Targeting STAR and Vector Comprising Costimulatory Factors
STAR comprised two polypeptide chains: a first polypeptide chain, which was formed by fusing anti-CD19 FMC63-VL with the TCR bC chain of hSTAR/hmct STAR/Nrec STAR, respectively, and a second polypeptide chain, which was formed by fusing anti-CD19 FMC63 VH with the TCR aC chain of hSTAR/hmct STAR/Nrec STAR, respectively. GM-CSFR signal peptide was used in both chains. The two chain sequences of hSTAR/hmct STAR/Nrec STAR were connected by the polypeptide fragment of Furin-SGSG-p2A protease cleavage site, and transcribed and translated into a protein together, then cleaved by the protease corresponding to furin and p2A, finally producing two independent protein chains. The whole gene was inserted into a lentivirus expression vector pHAGE through restriction endonuclease sites NheI and NotI. The vector was carried with ambicin resistance gene, EF 1 α promoter and IRES-RFP fluorescent reporter gene. The following plasmids were obtained by cloning, assembling, transforming, sequencing and plasmid extraction of gene fragments: FMC63-hSTAR, FMC63-hmct STAR, FMC63-Nrec STAR.
Construction of STAR vector comprising costimulatory factors: on the basis of three CD19-targeting STAR vectors, FMC63-hSTAR, FMC63-hmct STAR and FMC63-Nrec STAR, the costimulatory factors CD40, OX40, ICOS, CD28, 41BB and CD27 were constructed thereon, and the above sequences were obtained by gene synthesis. The costimulatory factors were added to FMC63-hSTAR, FMC63-hmct STAR and FMC63-Nrec STAR vectors by PCR and homologous recombination by adding the same costimulatory factor to TCR α and β chains at the same time. FMC63-hSTAR-CD40, FMC63-hSTAR-OX40, FMC63-hSTAR-ICOS, FMC63-hSTAR-CD28, FMC63-hSTAR-41BB, FMC63-hSTAR-CD27, FMC63-hmct STAR-CD40, FMC63-hmct STAR-OX40, FMC63-hmct STAR-ICOS, FMC63-hmct STAR-CD28, FMC63-hmct STAR-41BB, FMC63-hmct STAR-CD27, FMC63-Nrec STAR-CD40, FMC63-Nrec STAR-OX40, FMC63-Nrec STAR-ICOS, FMC63-Nrec STAR-CD28, FMC63-Nrec STAR-41BB and FMC63-Nrec STAR-CD27 were finally constructed.
3) Detection of Killing Ability of CD19-Targeting STAR and STAR-T Comprising a Costimulatory Factor
Uninfected T cells (NC group), FMC63-hSTAR, FMC63-hmct STAR, FMC63-Nrec STAR, FMC63-hSTAR-CD40, FMC63-hSTAR-OX40, FMC63-hSTAR-ICOS, FMC63-hSTAR-CD28, FMC63-hSTAR-41BB, FMC63-hSTAR-CD27, FMC63-hmct STAR-CD40, FMC63-hmct STAR-OX40, FMC63-hmct STAR-ICOS, FMC63-hmct STAR-CD28, FMC63-hmct STAR-41BB, FMC63-hmct STAR-CD27, FMC63-Nrec STAR-CD40, FMC63-Nrec STAR-OX40, FMC63-Nrec STAR-ICOS, FMC63-Nrec STAR-CD28, FMC63-Nrec STAR-41BB and FMC63-Nrec STAR-CD27 were co-cultured with RAJI-luc cells for 24 h in a 24-well plate. The positive cell number of T cells were adjusted according to RFP positive rate to 4E5 each, and the number of RAJI-luc cells was 4E5, with a total of 1 mL co-culture system. After 24 hours of co-culture, co-cultured cells were mixed evenly, 150 μL suspension was sucked out and added with 70 μL luciferase substrate, after shaking for 10 min at low speed in dark, the fluorescence value was detected by a multifunctional microplate reader, and the target cell-killing effect of each group was calculated. The results showed that the killing efficiency of hSTAR was significantly lower than that of hmct STAR and Nrec STAR, among them, Nrec STAR was the highest. The results of the same STAR comprising costimulatory factors showed that OX40 and ICOS could significantly increase the killing effect of STAR, while other costimulatory factors had no significant effect on the killing ability of STAR, 41BB reduced the killing function of STAR, however, without significant difference (
4) Detection of Nuclear RelB Level of CD19-Targeting STAR and STAR-T Comprising a Costimulatory Factor
The obtained following viruses: FMC63-hSTAR, FMC63-hmct STAR, FMC63-Nrec STAR, FMC63-hSTAR-CD40, FMC63-hSTAR-OX40, FMC63-hSTAR-ICOS, FMC63-hSTAR-CD28, FMC63-hSTAR-41BB, FMC63-hSTAR-CD27, FMC63-hmct STAR-CD40, FMC63-hmct STAR-OX40, FMC63-hmct STAR-ICOS, FMC63-hmct STAR-CD28, FMC63-hmct STAR-41BB, FMC63-hmct STAR-CD27, FMC63-Nrec STAR-CD40, FMC63-Nrec STAR-OX40, FMC63-Nrec STAR-ICOS, FMC63-Nrec STAR-CD28, FMC63-Nrec STAR-41BB and FMC63-Nrec STAR-CD27 were infected with Jurkat cells at a titer of MOI=1, after 4 days of infection, T cell lines and CD19 protein were co-cultured in a 12-well plate (2 μg/mL, 500 μL was coated on the 12-well plate and left overnight in a 4° C. refrigerator), in which the STAR-T cell was 4E6 and the target cell was 2E5 (target cells were inoculated to 12-well plate one day in advance) were cultured for 6 hours, then the cells were collected for extraction of nuclear proteins, which were detected by western blotting for the nuclear RelB level. The results showed that, the nuclear RelB level was very low in FMC63-hSTAR, FMC63-hmct STAR and FMC63-Nrec STAR groups without costimulatory factors, which was consistent with uninfected STAR-T group, after adding costimulatory factors, other costimulatory factors except CD28 significantly increased the nuclear RelB level, among which, 41BB improved the nuclear RelB level most, as shown in
1) Determination of CD19-Targeting Antibody Sequence
A 334 antibody sequence developed by the present inventors was selected as CD19-targeting antibody heavy chain variable region (anti-CD19 334-VH, SEQ ID NO: 54) and antibody light chain variable region (anti-CD19 334-VL, SEQ ID NO: 55).
2) Construction of CD19-Targeting STAR and Vector Comprising Costimulatory Factors
STAR comprised two polypeptide chains: a first polypeptide chain, which was formed by fusing anti-CD19 334-VL with the TCR bC chain of hSTAR/hmct STAR/Nrec STAR, respectively, and a second polypeptide chain, which was formed by fusing anti-CD19 334 VH with the TCR aC chain of hSTAR/hmct STAR/Nrec STAR, respectively. GM-CSFR signal peptide was used in both chains. The two chain sequences of hmct STAR/Nrec STAR were connected by the polypeptide fragment of Furin-SGSG-p2A protease cleavage site, and transcribed and translated into protein together, then cleaved by the protease corresponding to furin and p2A, finally producing two independent protein chains. The whole gene was inserted into a lentivirus expression vector pHAGE through restriction endonuclease sites NheI and NotI. The vector was carried with ambicin resistance gene, EF 1 α promoter and IRES-RFP fluorescent reporter gene. The following plasmids were obtained by cloning, assembling, transforming, sequencing and plasmid extraction of gene fragments: 334-hmct STAR, 334-Nrec STAR.
Construction of STAR vector comprising costimulatory factors: on the basis of CD19-targeting STAR vectors, 334-hmct STAR and 334-Nrec STAR, a costimulatory factor OX40 was constructed thereon, and the above sequences were obtained by gene synthesis. The costimulatory factor was added to 334-hmct STAR and 334-Nrec STAR vectors by PCR and homologous recombination by adding the same costimulatory factor to TCR α and β chains at the same time. Finally, 334-hmct STAR-OX40 and 334-Nrec STAR-OX40 were constructed.
3) Detection of Killing Ability of CD19-Targeting STAR and STAR-T Comprising a Costimulatory Factor
Uninfected T cells (NC group), 334-hmct STAR, 334-Nrec STAR, 334-hmct STAR-OX40 and 334-Nrec STAR-OX40 were co-cultured with RAJI-luc cells for 24 h in a 24-well plate. The positive cell number of T cells were adjusted according to RFP positive rate to 4E5 each, and the number of RAJI-luc cells was 4E5, with a total of 1 mL co-culture system. After 24 hours of co-culture, co-cultured cells were mixed evenly, 150 μL suspension was sucked out and added with 70 μL luciferase substrate, after shaking for 10 min at low speed in dark, the fluorescence value was detected by a multifunctional microplate reader, and the target cell-killing effect of each group was calculated. The results showed that the killing efficiency of hmct STAR was significantly lower than that of Nrec STAR, which was the highest. In addition, OX40 can significantly increase the killing effect of STAR and the nuclear RelB level. See
1) Determination of CD19 and CD 20-Targeting Antibody Sequence
CD19-targeting antibody heavy chain variable region (anti-CD19 FMC63-VH, SEQ ID NO: 50) and antibody light chain variable region (anti-CD19 FMC63-VL, SEQ ID NO: 51); CD 20-targeting antibody heavy chain variable region (anti-CD20 2C6-VH, SEQ ID NO: 62) and antibody light chain variable region (anti-CD20 2C6-VL, SEQ ID NO: 63).
2) Construction of CD19 and CD 20-Targeting STAR and Vector Comprising Costimulatory Factors
STAR comprised two polypeptide chains: a first polypeptide chain, which was formed by fusing anti-CD20 2C6 VL-(G4S)3-VH with the TCR bC chain of hmct STAR/Nrec STAR, respectively, and a second polypeptide chain, which was formed by fusing nti-CD19 FMC63 VL-(G4S)3-VH with the TCR aC chain of hmct STAR/Nrec STAR, respectively. GM-CSFR signal peptide was used in both chains. The two chain sequences of hmct STAR/Nrec STAR were connected by the polypeptide fragment of Furin-SGSG-p2A protease cleavage site, and transcribed and translated into protein together, then cleaved by the protease corresponding to furin and p2A, finally producing two independent protein chains. The whole gene was inserted into a lentivirus expression vector pHAGE through restriction endonuclease sites NheI and NotI. The vector was carried with ampicin resistance gene, EF 1 α promoter and IRES-RFP fluorescent reporter gene. The following plasmids were obtained by cloning, assembling, transforming, sequencing and plasmid extraction of gene fragments: FMC63-2C6-hmct STAR and FMC63-2C6-Nrec STAR.
Construction of STAR vector comprising costimulatory factors: on the basis of CD19 and CD20-targeting STAR vectors, FMC63-2C6-hmct STAR and FMC63-2C6-Nrec STAR, a costimulatory factor OX40 was constructed thereon, and the above sequences were obtained by gene synthesis. The costimulatory factors were added to FMC63-2C6-hmct STAR and FMC63-2C6-Nrec STAR vectors by PCR and homologous recombination by adding the same costimulatory factor to TCR α and β chains at the same time. Finally, FMC63-2C6-hmct STAR-OX40 and FMC63-2C6-Nrec STAR-OX40 were constructed.
3) Detection of Killing Ability of CD19 and CD20-Targeting STAR and STAR-T Comprising a Costimulatory Factor
Uninfected T cells (NC group), FMC63-2C6-hmct STAR, FMC63-2C6-Nrec STAR, FMC63-2C6-hmct STAR-OX40 and FMC63-2C6-Nrec STAR-OX40 were co-cultured with RAJI-luc cells for 24 h in a 24-well plate. The positive number of T cells was adjusted according to RFP positive rate to 4E5 each, and the number of RAJI-luc cells was 4E5, with a total of 1 mL co-culture system. After 24 hours of co-culture, co-cultured cells were mixed evenly, 150 μL suspension was sucked out and added with 70 μL luciferase substrate, after shaking for 10 min at low speed in dark, the fluorescence value was detected by a multifunctional microplate reader, and the target cell-killing effect of each group was calculated. The results showed that the killing efficiency ofhmct STAR was significantly lower than that of Nrec STAR, which was the highest. In addition, OX40 can significantly increase the killing effect of STAR and the nuclear RelB level, see
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202010377726.2 | May 2020 | CN | national |
| 202010449454.2 | May 2020 | CN | national |
| 202011549176.4 | Dec 2020 | CN | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CN2021/091897 | 5/6/2021 | WO |
